By Michael Gwarisa
World Health Organisation in Zimbabwe (WHO Zimbabwe) representative, Professor Jean-Marie Dangou has warned that a business-as-usual approach is detrimental to the prevailing Cholera situation in Zimbabwe.
His call follows a recent surge in new Cholera infections and hospitalisations which could bring the healthcare sector to its knees should the situation continue for a few more weeks as 60 districts have reported cases so far in the country.
Through his Micro-Blogging platform, Prof Dangou said there was need to act swiftly and address the deteriorating health situation.
Indeed, we need to stay vigilant. But there is an urgent need to stop business as usual. This cholera outbreak started in Feb 2023. We didn’t manage to control and stop it. The outbreak is now getting to another level. Immediate, strong and innovative actions are needed now,” said Dr Dangou.
As of 14 January 2024, Zimbabwe had recorded and 390 are cases hospitalized cases according to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) daily Cholera Situation Report. The cases were reported from Chiredzi (45), Chipinge (33), Makonde (18), Zvimba (18), Chitungwiza City (15), Glenview (14), Mutare (13), Seke (11), Mberengwa (11), BRIDH (9), Bikita (9), Buhera (6), Bindura (6), Mazowe (5), Gutu (5),Centenary (5), Budoriro (5), Zvishavane (5), Chimanimani (4) Gokwe North (4). Chivi (4), Chikomba (3), Highfield (3), UMP (2), Rutsanana (2), Hwange (2), Mt Darwin (2), Hurungwe (1), Kariba (1), Mudzi (1) Sanyati (1) and Gwanda (1).
In terms of hospitalisations, Chiredzi recorded (83) pateints, Bikita (13), Chivi (16), Masvingo (1), Gutu (4), in Masvingo Province, Buhera (21), Mutare Rural (16),Chipinge (48), Mutare City (3), Chimanimani (1), Mutasa (1) in Manicaland Province, BRIDH (43), Chitungwiza City (7) in Harare Province, Mberengwa (7), in Midlands Province, Mazowe (14), Bindura (11),Centenary (7), Mt Darwin (4) in Mash Central Province, Makonde (40), Zvimba (18), Kariba (1), Hurungwe (1) Sanyati (1) in Mash West Province, Gwanda (4) in Mat South Province, UMP (8), Marondera (4) Seke (8), Chikomba (3) Mash East Province and Thorngrove Hospital (2) in Bulawayo Province.
“We must redouble our efforts and every citizen, organization, and authority must play their part in turning this tide. Overwhelmed facilities need immediate support. More beds, medical supplies, and trained personnel are crucial to saving lives. Let us continue to work together to stop this outbreak,” added Professor Dangou through the WHO Weekly Cholera update.
He also said there is a need to empower communities through Knowledge sharing and awareness raising.
“Knowledge is power in the fight against cholera. Public awareness campaigns must be ramped up, educating people on hygiene practices, safe water sources, and early warning signs. Empower communities to be agents of their health. There is also a need to prioritize sanitation: Clean water and proper sanitation are not luxuries, they are lifelines. A right. Investing in infrastructure, addressing pollution, and ensuring proper waste disposal are not optional acts of charity, but essential investments in our collective well-being.”
Meanwhile, WHO is supporting the response in the Cholera hotspots and through collaboration with provincial and district teams, a supportive supervision visit was conducted at cholera treatment centres and participated in key meetings. They have collaborated with the Provincial Medical Director, Mutare District, Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC), and Chiadzwa Diamond Mines Military Force.
This engagement focused on tackling the challenge of illegal miners acting as super spreaders due to poor water and sanitation practices in their work areas. The meeting established a coordinated response which includes identifying, treating, and referring infected miners instead of releasing them back into the community.
