Majority of people who have died during the ongoing Cholera outbreak in Buhera District, Manicaland province, are members of white garment apostolic sects who attended a funeral of their fellow member where they probably consumed contaminated food and water, HealthTimes has learnt.
By Michael Gwarisa
Since August, more people from white garment sects, especially those that forbid their members from seeking healthcare services have succumbed to the disease. Manicaland had recorded over 2350 cholera cases and 83 deaths as at 13 October with 40 new cases and one death recorded yesterday. Buhera is currently the hotspot with total cases of 936 and 45 deaths. The first Cholera case and death was of a member of the white garment sect who had probably consumed contaminated food during one of their religious gatherings.
Speaking during a visit of the Cholera Hotspots in Buhera over the weekend, Health and Child Care Minister, Dr Douglas Mombeshora said there is urgent need to drill boreholes and provide safe drinking water in the affected communities.
What we have discovered is that the people who have died contracted Cholera during a religious gathering. At the funeral of one of their member who had succumbed to Cholera, they probably ate food or drank water there resulting in more people contracting the diseases. However, we have discovered that the place they were gathered does not have ablution facilities,” said Dr Mombeshaora.
“Many people who have died from the diseases are either related or are from the same family. We have also discovered that most religions which discourage their followers from seeking healthcare services are the ones either contacting or succumbing to the disease.”
The diseases seem to be spreading like a veld fire mostly in Manicaland rural areas and other rural communities neighboring Manicaland where the white garment religion is most prevalent. As at October, 16, 2023, 55 new suspected cholera cases were recorded in Zimbabwe including one suspected death and zero laboratory confirmed results were reported. The cases were reported from Gutu (26), Buhera (10), Bikita (7), Chipinge (5), Chiredzi (5) and Mutare (2). To date 41 districts have reported cases so far in the country.
97 cases are hospitalized at Bikita CTC (13), Zaka (5), Chiredzi (4), Gutu (19) in Masvingo Province, Buhera (33), Chipinge (17),Mutare Rural (2) in Manicaland Province, BRIDH (2) in Harare Province and Thorngroove (2) in Bulawayo City.
Dr Mombeshora said there is need to engage members of apostolic sects and encourage them to take their relatives and families to healthcare facilities. Minister Mombeshora added that they have commenced plans to urgently drill boreholes so as to to try and reduce the further spread of the diseases which is manly caused by drinking unsafe water or eating contaminated foods.
“From our tour of the facilities at Murambinda and here at the Clinic, we have realised that most people admitted do not have safe drinking water at their homes. Even those who have safe drinking still use river water for other purposes and people are not observing basic hygiene standards.”
Minister of State for Manicaland Provicne, Mischeck Mugadza said even though there is still resistance among members of apostolic sects to receive treatment, they were slowly warming up to the idea in the midst of the ongoing outbreak.
“With the way everything is going, it shows we will defeat Cholera. The disease emanated from those religions that don’t allow their members to visit healthcare facilities. I am however happy that they are now coming forward for treatment even though there is still some resistance,” said Minister Mugadza.
He added that fighting Cholera was not a one man’s job but needs all hands on deck.
Meanwhile, Village Health Worker, Angelina Sanganai said they are raising awareness in communities to encourage basic hygiene practices.
