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Bongani Ndlovu, Online Writer

GOVERNMENT has set up cholera outbreak treatment camps as it tightens measures to curb the spread of the deadly disease.

Reported cases increase on a weekly basis.

This was said by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere during the Post Cabinet Media Briefing in Harare on Tuesday.

He said Cabinet received an update on the cholera outbreak as presented by the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and

Technology Development Professor Amon Murwira, who is the Acting Minister of Health and Child Care,

“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 team’s training sessions are ongoing using workstations, on the job and classroom methods to improve on disease management,” said Professor Murwira.

He said there has been an increase in new suspected cholera cases as of November 23.

“The nation is informed that during the period 16th November, 2023 to 23rd November, 2023 there were 1 744 new suspected cholera cases reported compared to 1 259 reported the previous week. Zvishavane and Mbire are the new districts that reported cases during this period. The highest number of cholera cases during this period were from Harare (705); and Chitungwiza (163),” said Professor Murwira.

He said as such 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. Community dialogues, inter faith discussions and sensitisation of key stakeholders on cholera are planned for the coming week in high cholera incidence districts,” said Professor Murwira.

He said Cabinet has reiterated that there is need to improve water, sanitation and hygiene in communities.

Professor Murwira said to that end, Cabinet wishes to restate that where the Local Authorities are failing to provide infrastructure, Government will continue to strengthen interventions.

“In the meantime, specific interventions are being put in place to augment the following services: that immediate safe water trucking in affected urban areas; that the continuation of drilling and rehabilitation of boreholes; that the monitoring water quality in all areas; that the provision of household water treatment technologies; that the repairing of burst sewer pipes; that the regular refuse collection and removal of garbage; that restrictions of gatherings in all cholera affected areas; that supervision of all burials in all cholera affected areas; that there was need to have functional public toilets in all public places by involvement of private sector in the installation of temporary toilets; and that installation hand washing and sanitation devices in all public places be expedited,” said Professor Murwira.