Prisons take measures to prevent cholera

FOLLOWING a cholera outbreak that has claimed over 30 lives, the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) has put in place a raft of measures to stop the deadly disease from penetrating the country’s prisons.

The measures include screening of all new admissions and banning of all outside food from entering prisons.

Responding to emailed questions, ZPSC assistant public relations officer, Chief Corrections Officer Simon Eremia Kaondo said the prison services were on high alert of the disease that has since been declared a national emergency.

He said contrary to some social media reports, there were no cases of cholera reported in the country’s prisons, and the institution was seriously taking precautionary measures.

“Pursuant of the declaration of the cholera outbreak in Harare by the Ministry of Health and Childcare, the ZPCS has introduced a number of measures to control the disease.

‘‘We have temporarily suspended all cooked food from entering prisons. We have also introduced the screening and close monitor of new admissions into prisons,” said Chief Corrections Officer Kaondo.

“We have elevated medical and administrative awareness to the highest level by advising all provinces to be on high alert of the outbreak. We have also ordered the treatment of any diarrhoeal cases with high suspicion and caution.”

Chief Corrections Officer Kaondo said the service has also gone on a sensitisation programme as well as constant monitoring through regular inspections.

“Constant monitoring to determine possible predisposing factors to the outbreak have been intensified. We have also intensified sensitisation of inmates and officers alike on the outbreak and should a case arise, proper and efficient disinfection of soiled material and surfaces should quickly be taken,” he said.

Inmates have also been urged to maintain high standards of hygiene at personal and institutional level.

Government has since launched an appeal for $57 million to effectively contain the cholera outbreak that has seen over 5 000 seeking treatment.