Govt must be serious with cholera prevention

THE cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe started on February 12, 2023 in Chegutu, Mashonaland West province.

According to State media by December 31, cholera had claimed the lives of 66 people, a steep increase from the 49 reported in November.

The situation is worsening by the day as cases arising from the festive session celebrations start to manifest.

The Health and Child Care ministry released statistics that showed a steady increase in cases in December going into January.

This month, there have been new outbreaks reported at Glendale growth point, Mashonaland Central, Marondera, Uzumba Maramba-Pfungwe, Kuwadzana and Chiredzi, which the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS) is responding to with limited resources.

The capacity of the Health and Child Care ministry has been stretched due to the high number of admissions, strained human resources to manage the growing caseload and lack of cholera supplies, including disinfection liquids, to stop transmission.

There is a disrupted community healthcare system where primary healthcare — which is responsible for ensuring that community members adhere to water, sanitation and hygiene practices — is overwhelmed.

Active case findings and surveillance have been challenged, compounded by inadequate logistical supplies.

There is a need to mobilise and train more volunteers to support tasks shifting from medical personnel to volunteers, as well as support in increasing the awareness of risks and treatment.

Analysis based on the six situational report from the Health ministry covering the first weeks of January shows there were is an average of 222 new cases everyday.

The latest situational report from the ministry as of yesterday morning indicated that suspected and confirmed cases have been reported in 60 out of 64 districts in all the 10 provinces of the country since the beginning of 2023.

The outbreak has spread countrywide.

The epidemiological situation as of December 27, 2023 showed the most affected areas (both in terms of cumulative and recent reports) are Harare and Manicaland, since about 80% of the cases were coming from Harare, Mutare and Buhera districts.

This was as a result of the rains had started, with some people being evacuated, the Christmas season which saw a lot of community/family gathering/population movements as well as a massive apostolic sect gathering which took place in Zvipiripiri (Mutare Rural).

ZRCS is working closely with the Health and Child Care ministry and other organisations responding to the cholera outbreak to ensure that their response is in line with the national response plan.

To this date, seven oral rehydration points have been set up and efforts to provide water and sanitation were made.

The situation was exacerbated by torrential rains over the Christmas holiday.

In Harare, heavy rains on the night of December 21, 2023 led to severe flooding in Budiriro and Kuwadzana.

The Department of Civil Protection urgently requested ZRCS support in evacuating affected residents.

The situation resulted in the formation of an evacuation and shelter centre where the following was observed:

By December 23, 17 households (99 people) had volunteered to move to Budiriro 3 Primary School evacuation centre;

By December 26, 13 households, comprising 52 people (32 children and 20 adults), had moved, and were housed at the evacuation centre.

Some individuals returned home due to insufficient food, highlighting a critical need for sustained food supply. A roster for cooking and toilet cleaning had been established, but more cleaning materials were needed.

With the El Niño phenomenon currently affecting the country, the cholera situation, and the current flash flooding, in a country facing economic challenges which are hindering service delivery, the anticipation is that the situation will continue to deteriorate as the months go by. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent

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