Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
THE Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) working with Government departments has rolled out a programme where inter faith leaders will be trained on safe sanitation and hygiene standards as part of efforts to curb diseases such as Cholera.
The aim of the project is to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with Gwanda in the mining town.
The project will improve awareness and education on safe sanitation and hygiene standards and facilitate community led responses to cholera through adoption of risk communication and community engagement approaches.
“Activities that will be done include training of interfaith leaders, village health workers and community leaders on proper health and hygiene practices to raise awareness. Community cadres will be educating the people in order burst myths and misconceptions around cholera. IEC material will also be distributed and cholera awareness campaigns will be conducted through roadshows,” reads a brief on the programme.
In an interview, Gwanda District Development Coordinator, Ms Nomathemba Ndlovu said while cholera was no longer a threat in the district, drivers of cholera remain.
She said these include perennial water shortages, breakdown of sanitation infrastructure, open defecation and improper disposal of waste.
“We would like to welcome this initiative from the Zimbabwe Council of Churches which seeks to influence behaviour change when it comes to hygiene and sanitation issues. Inter faith leaders play a crucial role in influencing the behaviours of people and shaping opinions.
“Their involvement will help to ensure that people adopt best sanitation and hygiene practices. Another challenge that we face is that some church gatherings are not adhering to the standard sanitation and hygiene practices and we hope that this programme will see inter faith leaders endeavoring to take a leading role so that their members can follow suit,” she said.
Ms Ndlovu she said the programme will also incorporate community leaders which will help to ensure wide coverage.
She said in order to fight cholera there is need for corroborated effort from everyone.
Ms Ndlovu called on various stakeholders to partner the district as it seeks to improve water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH) infrastructure.
She said access to water remained a challenge in the district.
Zimbabwe went through a cholera outbreak which started in February last year which the Government has brought under control.
Government rolled out an Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) in January which was targeting cholera hotspots in the country.
The outbreak has now spread to more than the 17 traditional cholera hotspot districts of Buhera, Chegutu, Chikomba, Chimanimani, Chipinge, Chitungwiza, Chiredzi, Harare, Gokwe North, Marondera, Mazowe, Shamva, Mutare, Murehwa, Mwenezi, Seke and Wedza.
The first cholera outbreak in the country was recorded in Chegutu town, Mashonaland West Province on February 12 last year. control measures including hygiene promotion is ongoing in all provinces across the country.
Meanwhile local authorities have been urged to improve WASH facilities in their districts.
They include improved access to clean water, sanitation facilities, proper disposal of waste, proper sewer reticulation among others.
@DubeMatutu
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