Water-borne diseases threat in Mash West

MOST rural communities in Mashonaland West are under threat from waterborne diseases as villagers continue to rely on unprotected water sources.

Villagers in areas such as Makonde and Hurungwe districts also use the bush system to relieve themselves while drawing water for domestic consumption from the Angwa River.

According to the ZimVac 2018 Annual Rural Livelihoods Assessment, an estimated 32 percent of people living in rural areas in the province use rivers, dams and shallow wells as water sources for domestic consumption.

“About 46 percent of people living in Makonde fetch water from unprotected water sources while Kariba had 41 percent and Hurungwe recorded 32,” the report says.

An estimated 17,3 percent from Hurungwe travel a distance of about 1km to fetch water from a safe source. The report further notes that 14 percent of people who suffered from diarrhoearelated diseases were from Mashonaland West province compared to other provinces in Zimbabwe.

“Diarrhoea and fever were highest in Mashonaland West province at 14 percent and 12 percent respectively,” reads the report.

In its global goals, targets and indicators for drinking water, sanitation and hygiene the report suggested an end to open defecation by 2030.