The Zimbabwean government has taken various measures to provide treatment and prevent the spread of cholera. Cholera treatment camps and oral rehydration points have been established to ensure that affected individuals have access to medical services. These facilities are crucial in providing immediate treatment and preventing complications associated with cholera.
In addition to the treatment centers, the government is conducting training sessions for case management and rapid response teams, Information Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said during a post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday. The minister said:
Cabinet advises that by 26 November 2023, 46 cholera treatment camps were set up.
Oral rehydration points are being set up in communities to bring services closer to the people. Case management and rapid response teams’ training sessions are ongoing using workstations, on the job and classroom methods to improve on disease management.
Furthermore, health education on cholera prevention and control measures including hygiene promotion is ongoing in all provinces. Training of City Health promoters in Chitungwiza and Harare started this week targeting 300 community members who will spearhead door-to-door campaigns
He added that health education, prevention, and control measures are also being implemented across all provinces. This includes raising awareness about cholera prevention strategies and promoting proper hygiene practices. Specific interventions are being put in place to augment the following services:
a) that immediate safe water trucking in affected urban areas;
b) that the continuation of drilling and rehabilitation of boreholes;
c) that the monitoring of water quality in all areas;
d) that the provision of household water treatment technologies;
e) that the repairing of burst sewer pipes;
f) that the regular refuse collection and removal of garbage;
g) that restrictions of gatherings in all cholera-affected areas;
h) that supervision of all burials in all cholera-affected areas;
i) that there was a need to have functional public toilets in all public places by involvement of the private sector in the installation of temporary toilets; and
j) that installation of hand washing and sanitation devices in all public
places be expedited.
Between November 16 and 23, there were 1,744 new suspected cases of cholera reported. This is higher than the number of cases reported in the previous week, which was 1,259. During this period, two new districts, Zvishavane and Mbire, reported cases of cholera.