By Kuda Pembere
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) donated cholera equipment and sundries worth over US$200 000 in support of the Zimbabwean Government’s fight against the disease.
Donated were equipment and supplies worth US$ 225 000 which included 30 tents, 150 cholera beds, 516 dignity/hygiene kits, 520 maternity kits and 3000 packets of aquatabs.
The Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora lauded UNFPA for the donation noting it came at the nick of time when the country had recorded over 600 deaths and 32 000 cases.
“The death toll is quite a huge number because these are lives that should not have been lost because cholera is a preventable disease,” he said.
He acknowledged that the nation has a number of partners in its cholera response and expressed gratitude for the substantial consignment of supplies and equipment donated by UNFPA Zimbabwe.
He added that these donations will be extremely helpful in the nation’s efforts to combat cholera.
UNFPA Representative to Zimbabwe Ms Miranda Tabifor noted how pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers are highly prone to the disastrous effects of cholera.
“Cholera Outbreak poses a serious threat to pregnant women and lactating mothers with devastating pregnancy and childbirth outcomes including spontaneous abortion, pre-term labour, still births and maternal deaths,” she said. “”UNFPA is going to support the distribution of supplies to the cholera treatment centres in facilities and districts where UNFPA’s country programme is implemented.”
