Cholera fight stretching Health ministry resources
THE cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe started on February 12, 2023 in Chegutu, Mashonaland West province. The situation continues to worsen by the day as cases arising from the festive session celebrations start to manifest.
Statistics from the Health ministry shows a steady increase in cases in December going into January.
Last month, new outbreaks were reported in Chiredzi district of Masvingo province; Glendale growth point in Mashonaland Central; in Marondera, in Uzumba Maramba Pfunge; in Kuwadzana, Harare; in Mazowe and in Chitungwiza, which the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS) is responding to with limited resources.
Resources at the Health and Child Care ministry have been overstretched 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 the transmission.
There is a disrupted community healthcare system whereby primary healthcare — which is responsible for ensuring that community members access potable water and adhere to sanitation and hygienic practices — is overwhelmed.
Active case findings and surveillance have faced challenges, compounded by inadequate logistical supplies.
There is need to mobilise and train more volunteers to support task shifting from medical personnel to volunteers, increase community mobilisation and engagement to enhance the awareness of risks, promote early health treatment seeking behaviour and promote hygiene and sanitation practices.
Analysis based on the 18 situational reports from the Health ministry covering the first weeks of January indicate an average of 235 new cases everyday, which is a very bad indicator of the overall fight against the outbreak.
The latest situational report from the Health ministry as at February 14, 2024 indicated that suspected and confirmed cases have been reported in 61 districts of the 64 districts in all the 10 provinces of the country.
As of February 14, 2024, a cumulative total of 24 525 suspected cholera cases, 71 laboratory confirmed deaths, 457 suspected cholera deaths and 2 557 laboratory confirmed cases.
The outbreak has now spread to more than the 17 traditional cholera hotspots of Buhera, Chegutu, Chikomba, Chimanimani, Chipinge, Chitungwiza, Chiredzi, Harare, Gokwe North, Marondera, Mazowe, Shamva, Mutare, Murehwa, Mwenezi, Seke and Wedza.
The Health ministry with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO) is maintaining a dashboard with key epidemiological figures.
It is important to note that about 50% cases are coming from Harare and Manicaland (Mutare and Buhera districts).
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Finish Red Cross are supporting the activities of ZRCS in these highly affected areas and beyond.
During the reporting time, rains continued to fall, leaving the vulnerable population at risk of accessing contaminated water from shallow wells.
Intermittent supply of electricity continues to impact on the continuity of supply of safe drinking water as some of the water sources rely on the grid to sustain water supply.
Several districts are reporting many recorded cases per day including Mazowe, Glendale and Chiredzi where ZRCS is responding.
With the El Niño phenomenon currently affecting the country, the exposure to food insecurity is increasing the risk and exacerbating the cholera situation, the flash flooding being reported in some areas in the country is another risk factor compounded by economic challenges which are preventing service delivery, the anticipation is that the situation will continue to deteriorate as the months go by.
ZRCS is working closely with the Health and Child Care ministry, WHO, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), United Nations Children’s Fund, Centres for Disease Control and other organisations responding to the cholera outbreak to ensure that their response is in line with the national response plan and build synergies with other actors supporting the response.
Internally, ZRCS continues to collaborate with the IFRC and the Finish Red Cross Society.
To this date, ZRCS has made tremendous contribution to the overall response, where nine oral rehydration points (ORP) have been set up, two cholera treatment centres (CTCs) establishment supported, distribution of infection control for cholera and case management supplies provided to different CTCs, logistical support to targeted districts in terms of fuel and Health and Child Care ministry staff upkeep has been provided to sustain service continuity in CTCs, training and deployment of volunteers in different communities done, induction of provincial health leadership on the oral rehydration points approach and its significance has also been done as well as participation in different level co-ordination meetings.