Vusumuzi Dube
Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
Zimbabwe has recorded over 4 000 cases of cholera with Manicaland province recording the highest number of cases.
Giving an update to Cabinet on the cholera outbreak in the country Acting Minister of Health and Child Care, Hon Amon Murwira revealed 4 436 cases have been recorded so far with 4 246 recoveries.
“Cabinet advises that as at 30 September 2023, Zimbabwe’s cumulative suspected cholera cases were 4 436 with 4 246 recoveries. Manicaland Province and Harare Province contributed the highest number of cholera cases in Zimbabwe, having reported 1 934 (43.5 percent) and 1 627(36.7) cumulative cholera cases respectively by 30 September, 2023,” reads the latest Post Cabinet Briefing.
Medicines and commodities supply have been prepositioned in districts with resource mobilization ongoing from national level as well as through provisional and district structures and donors have also chipped in.
Active surveillance is ongoing at the ports of entry with dissemination of information being intensified to curb the spread of cholera.
Furthermore, water quality monitoring of waste disposal and waste management is ongoing in provinces.
“Cabinet advises that the following activities have since been conducted in response to the surge in cases: WASH activities against cholera in Harare, Gutu, Bikita and Chiredzi district as sensitised on cholera in the past week; risk communication and community engagement committees were set-up in four rural provinces of Masvingo, Matebeleland South, Manicaland and Mashonaland Central,” reads the briefing.
Additionally, twenty (20) risk communication and community engagement campaigns were conducted in Mashonaland East, and distribution of cholera information, education and communication materials is ongoing.
In light of the current cholera situation, Cabinet has also approved that traditional and religious leaders must be engaged to facilitate public health measures to control cholera within their communities; and that there be enforcement of laws on burials and city/council by-laws to ensure the public health response to Cholera is effective.
derick.khumalo