From the Comoros to Madagascar via Tanzania, several African countries are currently affected by an epidemic of conjunctivitis. Thus, in Dar es Salaam, the Tanzanian capital, the number of cases of red eyes increased from 800 patients to more than 5,000 in two weeks.
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Red, itchy or watery eyes, swollen eyelids… Since the beginning of January, conjunctivitis has irritated thousands of people in four African countries – Comoros, Madagascar, Tanzania and Kenya – and in Mayotte. Of viral or bacterial origin, the disease is harmless, provided that health instructions are followed. Problem: some patients prefer to resort to alternative remedies to treat themselves.
Which worries the World Health Organization (WHO). “ Anything applied to the eyes could have an irritating or even corrosive effect and could lead to scarring. Once scars form, light transmission is hindered. This causes vision loss or blurred vision, making the condition more difficult to treat than if it were left to heal on its own. », Explains Kaitesi Mukara, doctor at the WHO regional office in Brazzaville.
Remedies which consist of washing the eyes with urine or aluminum sulfate or even hemp oil are remedies nevertheless defended by the Organization of Traditional Medicine and Environmental Protection in Tanzania. “ When using these remedies, it is important to contact people who are competent to treat these symptoms that people suffer from. Do not contact just anyone, nor people who are not registered under the 2002 law », However, warns Boniventura Mwalongo, spokesperson for the Organization of Traditional Medicine.
“People should observe good eye hygiene”
In Tanzania, while the conjunctivitis epidemic now extends to 17 of the 31 regions, the authorities are increasing prevention messages. Interview with Christopher Cyrillo Mathias, doctor in Dar es Salaam.
RFI: What is the situation in Tanzania?
Christopher Cyrillo Mathias: Two weeks ago, I saw my friend who works in the neighborhood leaving his house with red eyes. He has since recovered, but his wife and son have now contracted conjunctivitis. A few meters from my house, there are a few people who have red eyes. The disease progresses.
I heard that people use urine to cure red eyes, others use cold water mixed with salt, some think about putting mud. I believe that there are people in our society who allow themselves to give their opinion on medical matters. They speak without filter and information spreads quickly.
As a doctor, what is the challenge represented by alternative medicines offered by traditional healers?
Tanzanians see you as a doctor, they hear what you say, you give them advice, but the next time they go to another person who is not a medical professional, and they listen to them too and afterwards, they no longer know who to follow. They are able to listen to anything, no matter where it comes from, whether it is a doctor’s voice or not. It was the same during the Covid-19 period. Everyone was giving advice that they thought was good and the population was lost.
You know, the majority of our population is uneducated on health issues. People listen to bad advice. This was not the first time with Covid-19. It’s certainly not the last.
How then can we promote good health practices?
As an individual, I use social media to educate people and advise them to follow instructions from reliable sources: the Ministry of Health, identified doctors and other health institutes. It should be remembered that red eye disease is not fatal, it heals on its own. People should practice good eye hygiene: wash their eyes well at least three times a day and stay away from people who are already contaminated. They must also protect themselves against the spread of infection.
And when the situation worsens, sick people should consult a doctor in hospital.
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