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Vusumuzi Dube, Senior Reporter
CABINET has directed Treasury to avail funds meant to address the Gastrointestinal disease outbreak in Bulawayo.
The disease has so far infected more than 1500 people in the city’s Luveve area and caused nine deaths.
Briefing journalists on the 21st Cabinet meeting decision matrix in Harare on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the outbreak is attributed to the 144-hour water shedding regime introduced in the city as well as the vandalism of outfall sewers.
“In response to the Gastrointestinal Disease outbreak, four treatment stations have since been set up and Rapid Response Teams are currently conducting door to door for inspections to determine the extent of the outbreak.
“Cabinet has directed Treasury to immediately avail financial resources in order to contain the outbreak and address the water challenge in Bulawayo,” said the Minister.
Some of the measures being currently instituted include; water mains renewal, de-chocking of small diameter sewer lines within the household network; and weekly water quality sampling.
Minister Mutsvangwa revealed that plans are also underway to increase raw water supplies to the city through pumping water from Mtshabezi, Insiza, Inyakhuni dams, as well as the Epping Forest and Rochester Aquifers.
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