The Ministry of Health and Child Welfare in collaboration with the World health organisation has embarked on a health institutions cholera/typhoid preparedness assessment exercise to determine if institutions in Zimbabwe will be prepared to fight an outbreak in case it occurs.
The inspection and assessment will be done in all Provinces to ensure effective prevention of cholera and typhoid outbreaks during the rainy season. Speaking to the Herald WHO Zimbabwe Director Dr Alex Gasasira said:
The Ministry of Health and Child Care is conducting a cholera and typhoid outbreak preparedness assessment with support provided by WHO. This is because the risk of outbreaks of cholera and typhoid increases as the rainy season starts. In order to rapidly detect and respond to any potential outbreak and prevent deaths and human suffering, it is important that all levels of the health system are adequately prepared and equipped.
In February 2019, the Ministry of Health and Child Care with support of partners including WHO, developed a cholera outbreak and emergency preparedness and response plan. This plan identified key activities, materials and supplies that would ensure effective coordination of cholera prevention and response activities, timely detection and investigation of any suspect cholera or typhoid case
Dr Gasasira also said early detection helped prevent fatalities. Harare had a Cholera outbreak last year just after the harmonised elections and over 50 people died while thousands were at some point treated for Cholera.
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