Cholera camps set up
CHOLERA treatment camps have been set up while oral rehydration points are being established in communities to bring services closer to the people as the Government deepens the fight against cholera.
In addition, case management and rapid response team training sessions are ongoing as part of several methods to contain the spread of cholera.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said this yesterday during a post-Cabinet briefing yesterday.
Dr Muswere said Cabinet had been briefed of the cholera situation by acting Minister of Health and Child Care, Professor Amon Murwira, who said health education and prevention and control measures were ongoing.
During the period between November 16 and 23, there were 1 744 new suspected cholera cases reported, compared to 1 259 reported in the previous week. Zvishavane and Mbire were the new districts that reported cases during that period.
Dr Muswere said the highest number of cholera cases between November 16 and 23 were from Harare which reported 705 cases and Chitungwiza 163.
“Cabinet advises that by 26 November 2023, 46 cholera treatment camps were set up.
“Oral rehydration points are being set up in communities to bring services closer to the people. Case management and rapid response teams’ training sessions are ongoing using workstations, on the job and classroom methods to improve on disease management.
“Furthermore, health education on cholera prevention and control measures including hygiene promotion is ongoing in all provinces. Training of City Health promoters in Chitungwiza and Harare started this week targeting 300 community members who will spearhead doorto-door campaigns,” said Dr Muswere.
Community dialogues, inter faith discussions and sensitisation of key stakeholders on cholera are planned for next week in high cholera incidence districts.
Dr Muswere said Cabinet reiterated that there is need to improve water, sanitation and hygiene in communities.
To that end, Cabinet resolved that where local authorities are failing to provide infrastructure, Government will continue to strengthen interventions.
He said in the meantime, specific interventions are being put in place including the immediate trucking of safe water into affected urban areas, the continuation of drilling and rehabilitation of boreholes, the monitoring of water quality in all areas, provision of household water treatment technologies, and repairing of burst sewer pipes.
Further, there will be regular refuse collection and removal of garbage, restrictions of gatherings in all cholera affected areas, supervision of all burials in all cholera affected areas.
Cabinet also said there be functional public toilets in all public places by involvement of the private sector in the installation of temporary toilets, while the installation of hand washing and sanitation devices in all public places will be expedited.