Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor
THE government has activated its emergency response systems in Buhera as more Cholera cases continue to be recorded in the district.
Cholera cases continue to rise in the Buhera district of Manicaland province with more than 80% of the 178 cases recorded in the past week coming from the district.
This has prompted the minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora, World Health Organisation, UNICEF, Red Cross and Medicines San Frontiers to go on the ground and assess the situation.
From Murambinda Hospital, the team visited Mudanda Rural Health Centre before proceeding to Betera Clinic where most of the cases are concentrated.
“We have had a baptism of fire with regards to this outbreak. I have picked up several issues which are causing the cases to escalate. These include poor water and sanitation, they do not have clean borehole water and water samples from the river showing some contamination. Lack of adequate knowledge of basic hygiene is also a factor and we also have religious objectors who do not believe in seeking medical attention hence we need to scale up our efforts on the preventative side to ensure effective case management. We will also be drilling boreholes to ensure people have clean water,” said Dr Mombeshora.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza called for collaborative efforts in fighting the disease.
“The problem here requires an all-hands-on-deck approach so that we beat this disease. I am happy that the minister of health and partners are here to assess the situation so that we collaborate and defeat this disease. We have also been in consultation with the religious leaders here so that they understand the dangers of not seeking medical attention, especially when it comes to cholera,” said Advocate Mugadza.
As of the 12th of October 2023, a cumulative total of 4 908 suspected cholera cases, 958 laboratory-confirmed deaths and 104 suspected Cholera deaths have been recorded in the country.
4 659 people have since recovered.
