By Michael Gwarisa in Manicaland
Almost 15 kilometers from Zvipiripiri Rural Clinic, Sekuru Ramson Nyatsanza* (79) from Nyangani Village Ward 16 in Mutare rural, is experiencing severe Cholera symptoms. He is vomiting profusely and the rice water-like diarrhoea is not stopping. Despite being a member of an Apostolic Sect that is known for prohibitin followers from seeking healthcare services, Sekuru Nyatsanza is determined to get help.
His relatives carry him to an Oral Rehydration Point (ORP) that the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) through technical and financial support from the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), have just set up in the area to provide timeous rehydration response to Cholera patients as well as reduce the distance traveled to Zvipiripiri clinic.
Barely 24 hours after the Oral Rehydration Point had opened its doors to the public, the facility had already attended to four mild cholera cases with all having fully recuperated at the centre without the need for further referral or facility admission. Sekuru Nyatsanza was the first patient to present with severe cholera symptoms and had to be referred to the Clinic for treatment and monitoring. To address his deteriorating health condition before leaving for the clinic, volunteers at the Oral Rehydration Point administered Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) to Sekuru Nyatsanza, while they waited for a vehicle to ferry him to Zvipiripiri Clinic, where the Ministry of Health and partners have set up a Cholera Treatment Centre.
“I am happy that my husband is getting help here. Some people in this community died due to dehydration and not getting help early,” said Gogo Nyatsanza his wife, as she waited outside while her husband was being assisted by volunteers at the ORP.
A few moments on, a white pick truck arrives and ferries Sekuru Nyatsanza to the Clinic at Nyangani. He is accompanied by a volunteer from the ORP who constantly gives him ORS on their way. Upon arrival at the Clinic, he is admitted into the Cholera treatment facility and receives Intravenous Fluids (IV fluids). When this publication visited Zvipiripiri Clinic two days later, Sekuru Nyatsanza had fully recovered and had been discharged.
Such is the story of many villagers from Nyangani and other communities where ORPs have been established. Before being converted into an ORP, the four-roomed house in Nyangani Village was lying idle after its intended occupants somehow failed to inhabit it decades ago. The house was initially built to house Agritex Officers. The Zimbabwe Red Cross Society, the IFRC, the Ministry of Health and community volunteers worked together to renovate and give the building a facelift and offer services to villagers.
Village Head, Willard Nyangani said the ORP in his village had brought relief to the community in the middle of a Cholera crisis.
“I was happy when this centre was established because we were struggling to get help for cholera patients. The Clinic is far and people were not getting help on time. Cholera is giving us sleepless nights and now that we have people attending to cholera in this community, we can hope that our people can get help on time,” said Village Head Nyangani.
At these ORPs, community members with cholera symptoms easily access treatment for rehydration. More severe cases are quickly referred to the nearest cholera treatment centre. Volunteers at the ORPs assess the level of dehydration, and risk factors for each case as well as conduct contact tracing for patients.
Giving an overview of their work as volunteers, Mrs Ruth Kawemba, a volunteer at the Nyangani ORP said, “When a Cholera patient arrives, we ensure they wash their hands at the washing point outside. We then take down their details before assessing the patient’s condition. If it’s mild, we give the patients Salt and Sugar Solution. For severe cases, we quickly facilitate the patients’ transfer to the clinic.”
The volunteers have two shifts every day and they work for 12 hours daily. The Zimbabwe Red Cross Society has also identified a dedicated vehicle and transporter responsible for ferrying patients from the ORP to the Clinic in Zvipiripiri. A couple of Oral Rehydration Points have also been set up across communities where there is a high incidence of Cholera infections. These include Nyangani Village in Ward 16, Chipiro Village, Chakaza Business Centre in Marange, and Farikai Village in Chiadzwa.
The ZRCS team has also identified some households, and negotiated with owners to set up ORPs at their homesteads. One such household belongs to Mrs Cecilia Garira, a volunteer under the Zimbabwe Red Cross from Chipiro Village, and also a member of the Johane Marange Apostolic Church. Her household is strategic as it serves mainly members from her church.
“What we have done here is that instead of giving them the ORS that comes in sachets, we are preparing Salt and Sugar solution in their presence so that they don’t hesitate to take it thinking it is some form of medication. We mix Sugar and iodised salt under the patients’ full watch. This is working and we are now seeing more and more patients knocking on our door seeking our assistance. I have served 50 Cholera patients since I started volunteering,” said Mrs Garira.
Zimbabwe is still battling with a severe cholera outbreak, affecting communities across 10 provinces, and placing over half a million people in urgent need of assistance. The outbreak has raised significant concerns about public health’s capacity to cope with surge in Cholera cases and underscores the critical need for a coordinated and rapid response. According to the Ministry of Health daily Cholera update, as of 20 December 2023, 123 cases were hospitalised due to Cholera and Mutare Rural had 19 admissions while Chipinge had the highest with 21 admissions. Mutare Urban had one.
For the past few months, the Zimbabwe Red Cross society has been implementing cholera awareness campaigns with support from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, (IFRC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) in Beitbridge and Gwanda Districts in Matabeleland South Province, Mutare Rural, Mutare Urban and Chimanimani Districts in Manicaland province. The cholera outbreak has led to a widespread public health emergency, necessitating immediate intervention to prevent further transmission and mitigate the impact on affected communities.
Zimbabwe Red Cross Society Secretary General, Mr Elias Hwenga said the establishment of Oral Rehydration Points bring medical assistance closer to the communities was their main thrust as it would go a long way in saving lives.
“In addition to immediate response efforts, the Emergency Appeal prioritises capacity building and organisational development for the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society. The focus on upgrading infrastructure, equipment, and technical skills of branches and volunteers aligns with a broader strategy to enhance preparedness for future challenges. Under the current actions is the setting up of Oral Rehydration Points (ORP) which open every day, all day long,” said Mr Hwenga.
“The setting up of ORPs helps increase chances of quick recovery and reduces cholera death. Oral Rehydration Points are run by community volunteers and health workers. While Cholera treatment units and cholera treatment centres may be too far for people to reach them quickly, ORPs are located within communities and offer easy access to basic screening and rehydration.”
Since the onset of the Cholera outbreak, the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS), in collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), launched an Emergency Appeal to address the multifaceted challenges posed by the outbreak.
Mr Hwenga added that the outbreak presents challenges such as the rapid spread of the cholera virus, increased morbidity and mortality rates, and strained healthcare facilities. The risk of transmission to neighboring countries adds a complex dimension to the crisis, necessitating not only immediate containment measures but also cross-border coordination.
Meanwhile, the Emergency Appeal focuses on critical areas, including the prevention and control of the cholera spread, improved case management, and the enhancement of water and sanitation facilities. The appeal also underscores the importance of community engagement, accountability, and inclusivity in providing a holistic response to the diverse needs of affected communities.
NB// The name * of the Cholera patient has been altered to protect the patient's
privacy and right to healthcare services.
