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Kudzai Chikiwa, Chronicle Reporter
MIDLANDS State University (MSU) has appointed two full time medical officers for the Gweru and Zvishavane campuses as a precaution against typhoid outbreak among students, The Chronicle has learnt.
Typhoid has claimed eight lives in Gweru since its declaration on August 6 while over 1 500 suspected cases of typhoid have been reported since July 20.
Students renting private accommodation in Nehosho and Senga areas said they were afraid they could contract typhoid as they sometimes go for weeks without water, prompting the university to act.
In a statement, MSU public relations officer Ms Mirirai Mawere said the Ministry of Health and Child Care urged the institution to participate in health activities and be vigilant to avoid the epidemic.
“When we learnt of the typhoid outbreak in the city, before opening the semester, the Vice Chancellor consulted the Director of Health Services for the City of Gweru and the Ministry of Health’s District Medical Officer,” she said.
“After various consultations within the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the City of Gweru, MSU was advised to proceed with opening of the semester but to participate in various health activities and remain vigilant”.
Ms Mawere said MSU health staff including 13 registered general nurses, 13 nurse aides and five ambulance technicians had been trained on how to deal with typhoid.
The institution conducted sensitisation meetings with stakeholders who affect the daily health life of students.
“Sensitisation meetings have been held with all MSU food handlers and Senga and Nehosho landlords who have boarding houses that host our students. During the orientation week, plus or minus 3 500 students were sensitised by the Gweru City health department and 90 student Peer Educators and 106 Sub-wardens have been sensitised,’’ said Ms Mawere.
She said all eight boreholes on the main Campus in Senga were sampled and did not have salmonella typhi (bacteria that causes typhoid) and these tests will be done periodically.
Meanwhile, students who had expressed fears of contracting typhoid have commended efforts by the University to curb the epidemic.
“l appreciate the administration for valuing our health and taking measures to curb this disastrous and life threatening epidemic. After seeing records of eight lives lost in this city, fear gripped us and some of us were afraid to come to school.
“I encourage my fellow students to remain vigilant, mind what you eat and drink. Those in Senga and Nehosho let’s take advantage of the sampled borehole water and avoid unsafe water,’’ said Melusi Nkomo, a fourth year Biology student who rents accommodation in Senga.— @tamary98.
Online Reporter