By Staff Writer
THE Cholera fatality rate in Buhera has moved to 3,7% in Zimbabwe amid plans by authorities to upscale pro-active measures to curb further spread of the disease.
In an update to cabinet .Health and Child Care Minister, Doctor Douglas Mombeshora said progress is being made.
“The Minister of Health and Child Care led a delegation to Buhera District on 14th October, 2023. Buhera District has reported a cumulative seven hundred and twenty-six cases of cholera suspected cases, and twenty-seven cumulative cholera deaths with a Case Fatality rate of 3,7%.
“Forty-six (46) were admitted in cholera treatment centres across the district with the epicenter for transmission in Buhera district in Murambinda,” he said.
He said the main drivers of the cholera outbreak in Buhera District included lack of safe water and use of river water.
Pertaining to the Buhera District Cholera Response, Cabinet approved as follows: that doctors be deployed to visit all cholera treatment centers’ in the district; that more staff be mobilized to support the cholera treatment centres; that the setting up of cholera treatment camps and oral rehydration points closer to the community be finalised; that eight boreholes be drilled in the district.
“Community engagement and capacity building of traditional and religious leaders on public health measure to control cholera be intensified; that all funerals in Buhera district should be supervised; and that cholera education will be intensified in schools,” added Mombeshora.
In order to forestal a possible increase in cholera cases around the country, Cabinet in general approved as follows:
that there be Intensified Risk Communication and Community Engagement in the cholera response
that cholera tests kits be sourced for the rural community centres
that all boreholes be fully equipped; that all deaths be documented and burials be supervised; and that there be continued intensified public health measures to contain the outbreak.
