Diarrhoea kills 9

Lisa Shirichena Herald Reporter
NINE people died of diarrhoea countrywide during the first week of this month, Ministry of Health and Child Care said yesterday. This brings the total number of people who have died of diarrhoea so far this year to 323 out of 294 124 reported cases. According to the ministry’s weekly surveillance update, Manicaland province is the hardest hit

The report says 9 779 cases were reported during the first week of this month nationwide.

“Of the reported cases, 5 846 and five deaths were under five years of age,” reads part of the report.

The deaths were reported from Mutoko district in Mashonaland East province (one), Chirumanzu district (four) and Gokwe South District (one) both in Midlands province, Umzingwane district in Matebeleland South province (one), Mpilo Central Hospital (one) and Chitungwiza Central Hospital (one).

The provinces, which reported the highest number of diarrhoea cases are Manicaland with 1 514, followed by Masvingo with 1 511, while statistics from other provinces were made available though they are said to be very negligible.

Common diarrhoea cases remain high because their determinants such as adequate safe water, sanitation and hygiene remain unavailable or continue to have low coverage.