HCF Hosts Science Media Café On Cholera Epidemic In Zimbabwe
HCF Hosts Science Media Café On Cholera Epidemic In Zimbabwe
THE Health Communicators Forum in Zimbabwe (HCF) recently hosted a science media Café to spotlight the growing threat of Cholera in Zimbabwe’s capital Harare.
The meeting was attended by Journalists and members of the HCF from across Harare media landscape. Dr Michael Vere an Epidemiologist with the City Health Department gave an insightful revelation of the Cholera situation in the capital city.
He said Budiriro has been Zimbabwe’s leading Cholera Hotspot since the worst outbreak of 2008. According to World Health Organisation Zimbabwe data, in 2008, approximately half of cholera cases have been recorded in Budiriro, a heavily populated suburb on the western outskirts of the capital, Harare.
Dr Vere added that the figures recorded to date could be higher if the City of Harare was to factor in cases from places like Dzivarasekwa Extension. However, due to Geographical boundaries, the place now lies in Mashonalnd West and not under Harare. The one death that has been recorded was from Dzivarasekwa Extension which according to Dr Vere is not in their jurisdiction.
The City of Harare health department has since deployed clean water bowsers to the affected areas in a bid to curb the further spread of cholera through drinking contaminated water. They have also directed sister departments to increase water supplies to areas. Dr Vere added that cases are currently being managed at local level, at Clinics in particular where they are treating cases and managing any suspected symptoms.
Speaking at the same event however, Harare Residents Trust (HRT) Director, Mr Precious Shumba castigated the lack of prioritization of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Situation by Harare City council.
“Cholera occurs sporadically where water supply, sanitation, food safety, hygiene are inadequate (City of Harare, 2009). Vending sites have no water and sanitation facilities. There are no toilets or sources of water to service the majority of vendors in the communities.
“Water is in short supply across the suburbs with residents largely dependent on community boreholes and shallow wells, especially in Mabvuku, Tafara, Glen Norah, Chitungwiza, Epworth, Budiriro, Glen View. Reports of sewerage bursts are not being urgently attended to when they are made to council offices dotted across the suburbs. There is very poor responsiveness of the council in tackling this health challenge,” said Mr Shumba.
THE Health Communicators Forum in Zimbabwe (HCF) recently hosted a science media Café to spotlight the growing threat of Cholera in Zimbabwe’s capital Harare.
The meeting was attended by Journalists and members of the HCF from across Harare media landscape. Dr Michael Vere an Epidemiologist with the City Health Department gave an insightful revelation of the Cholera situation in the capital city.
He said Budiriro has been Zimbabwe’s leading Cholera Hotspot since the worst outbreak of 2008. According to World Health Organisation Zimbabwe data, in 2008, approximately half of cholera cases have been recorded in Budiriro, a heavily populated suburb on the western outskirts of the capital, Harare.
Dr Vere added that the figures recorded to date could be higher if the City of Harare was to factor in cases from places like Dzivarasekwa Extension. However, due to Geographical boundaries, the place now lies in Mashonalnd West and not under Harare. The one death that has been recorded was from Dzivarasekwa Extension which according to Dr Vere is not in their jurisdiction.
The City of Harare health department has since deployed clean water bowsers to the affected areas in a bid to curb the further spread of cholera through drinking contaminated water. They have also directed sister departments to increase water supplies to areas. Dr Vere added that cases are currently being managed at local level, at Clinics in particular where they are treating cases and managing any suspected symptoms.
Speaking at the same event however, Harare Residents Trust (HRT) Director, Mr Precious Shumba castigated the lack of prioritization of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Situation by Harare City council.
“Cholera occurs sporadically where water supply, sanitation, food safety, hygiene are inadequate (City of Harare, 2009). Vending sites have no water and sanitation facilities. There are no toilets or sources of water to service the majority of vendors in the communities.
“Water is in short supply across the suburbs with residents largely dependent on community boreholes and shallow wells, especially in Mabvuku, Tafara, Glen Norah, Chitungwiza, Epworth, Budiriro, Glen View. Reports of sewerage bursts are not being urgently attended to when they are made to council offices dotted across the suburbs. There is very poor responsiveness of the council in tackling this health challenge,” said Mr Shumba.