Angelah Nothando Mlotshwa
Environment and Health Reporter
The Medical Control Authority of Zimbabwe has issued a press statement warning the populace again skin bleaching.
“The MCAZ warns the public on the dangers associated with the use of skin lightening products such as oral/ inject able glutathione and inject able vitamins for skin lightening. The MCAZ has not approved/ registered any injectable products or such products for skin lightening”, said the Medical Control Authority of Zimbabwe Acting Director General Richard Tendai Rukwata.
These products expose the public to dangerous health hazards therefore it’s the responsibility of every medical center to take action.
“Side effects of the use of injectable glutathione for skin lightening include toxic effects on the liver, kidneys, and the nervous system. Furthermore the side effects may include severe skin reactions such as Stevens John syndrome, hives or allergic reactions, weight gain, losing pigmentation of hair, eye infection and disorder”, said Rukwata.
Other protection risks include transmission of infectious agents, such as HIV , Hepatitis C and B”, he said.
In Zimbabwe it is a punishable offense to skin bleach therefore is not allowed.
“It is an offense to sell unregistered medicines without authorization. As the Authority responsible for protecting public and animal health. MACZ enforces adherence to the use of registered medicines and will exercise its statutory mandate against operators”, added Rukwata.
Upon asking Bulawayo Provincial Medical Director for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Maphios Siamuchembu about the scientifically side effect of glutathione he had this to say,
“It is naturally made in the liver and seems to be involved in metabolism. As a synthetic drug/ medicine, there are people who seem to believe that it is skin lightening… But scientific literature to that effect is scarce.