adminJohn Murwira Correspondent
Government has intensified cholera prevention awareness campaigns in Kariba and Chirundu to avert the disease that has hit neighbouring Zambia. Authorities have since started screening people at the two border posts as well as providing standby staff and equipment at all clinics along Harare-Chirundu Highway.
At least two people have reportedly died of cholera in Zambia’s Siavonga District, which is at the border with Zimbabwe.
Mashonaland West provincial health promotions officer Mr George Kambondo said the province had for now put in place several prevention mechanisms following the outbreak of cholera in Zambia.
“Government has stepped up measures to prevent cholera with the stocking of medicines and response staff in all clinics along the Harare-Chirundu Highway, as well as in clinics in Kariba and Chirundu,” he said.
“Each and every treatment point has been supplied with enough medicines and other related cholera control equipment. We have eight nurses on standby at each treatment point.”
Mr Kambondo said they had temporarily banned marketing and selling of perishables from the neighbouring country.
Owing to historical ties between the two countries, Zimbabweans from the border towns buy some products from Zambia.
“We have also temporarily banned marketing of vegetables and perishables which were coming from the Zambian side and we are encouraging people to desist from buying perishables from Zambia for the meantime,” said Mr Kambondo. “The campaign has also been targeted at conductors and drivers of vehicles so that they monitor passenger for signs and symptoms of cholera like vomiting and diarrhoea.
“Government has also formed cholera control committees, which are stakeholder centered to make sure people are equipped with hygiene-related material.”
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