Online Reporter
The increasing cases of silicosis and fatalities from this lung disease in mining hotspots such as Kwekwe, Zvishavane, Shurugwi and Mberengwa districts in the Midlands province should jolt the mining companies into action to contain the disease.
The prevailing situation in the mining districts of the Midlands province probably mirrors the realities in most mining areas across the country hence the urgent calls for action to address this health crisis that is threatening to wipe out our mining workforce.
The Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Cde Owen Ncube said Government was intensifying measures to protect workers and communities from silica dust exposure which causes silicosis.
What is encouraging is that Kwekwe which is one of the worst affected districts, has stepped up silicosis awareness campaigns and last Friday it held its inaugural Silicosis Awareness Conference which was addressed by Cde Ncube.
Kwekwe district has recorded a sharp increase in silicosis cases with admissions at Kwekwe General Hospital jumping from just six in the 12 months of 2021 to 161 between January and August this year.
The hospital’s medical superintendent, Dr Tinashe Gunda said most of those admitted were artisanal and small scale miners.
What is frightening is that health officials are saying this lung disease is incurable which means the only way out is to prevent it.
According to health officials, the best that hospitals can do to assist silicosis patients is to put them on oxygen until they die. Dr Gunda said the hospital was recording between 40 and 50 deaths from silicosis every year meaning the institution is losing a patient every week as a result of this deadly disease which, as already said, should be contained.
The Kwekwe General Hospital statistics are very disturbing and what we fear is that this could be the situation in most of our mining hot spots across the country.
Minister Ncube said there is an urgent need for the National Social Security Authority (NSSA), the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and other regulatory authorities to strengthen enforcement of occupational health and safety policy at the workplace as well as health and sanitation regulations.
Mining companies should uphold high occupational health and safety standards and what this entails is investing in protective clothing and equipment, dust-control technologies, regular screening of workers and having modern health facilities such as clinics or mini hospitals.
Artisanal miners who are usually self- employed, should ensure their health comes first.
They should invest in protective clothing and equipment and also ensure their working environment meets health and safety standards.
The fact that most of the patients admitted at Kwekwe General Hospital are artisanal and small scale miners means most of them are not taking preventive measures against silicosis.
This is very worrisome given that artisanal miners account for over 70 percent of our gold deliveries which means huge contribution to the mining sector growth.
