Talent Gore
CHOLERA continues to spread with 50 new cases in Chitungwiza on Friday and 29 cases on Saturday. Medical and Dental Private Practitioners Association of Zimbabwe president, Dr Johannes Marisa, blamed poor water infrastructure and lack of sanitation funding for the ongoing crisis, and called for improvements to garbage collection and water purification.
Zimbabwe has seen growing instances of cholera, with Chitungwiza emerging as another hotspot earlier this year.
Since February, the country has recorded 5 788 suspected cholera cases, 38 laboratory-confirmed deaths and 120 suspected cholera deaths.
The outbreak has now spread to more than the 17 traditional cholera hotspot districts of Buhera, Chegutu, Chikomba, Chimanimani, Chipinge, Chitungwiza, Chiredzi, Harare, Gokwe North, Marondera, Mazowe, Shamva, Mutare, Murehwa, Mwenezi, Seke and Wedza.
“There is no proper purification of water leading to simple waterborne diseases which are transmitted through contaminated water,” Dr Marisa said.
“Financing is one of the building blocks of a society; if there is no financing we are going nowhere as any failure in the governance system stalls development.
“Another solution is to improve on problem areas, including garbage collection, proper water purification and good sanitation.”
Dr Marisa said since cholera was a waterborne disease, whatever is done should focus on clean water supplies and improved sanitation.
“We should strengthen our water infrastructure and at the same time observe good sanitation. Our sewer system should be revamped, water infrastructure upgraded and people should get clean water.
“That is one important measure on top of health education so those aspects are very important”