The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Health Reporter
THE Ministry of Health and Child Care is decommissioning some treatment centres following a sharp decline in cholera cases in Manicaland.
This is taking place in Buhera, and Mutare districts where cholera cases are on a steep decline.
According to the Zimbabwe Situational Report released by the ministry on Tuesday, Manicaland had recorded one case in Buhera.
The whole province had 10 admissions, signifying the sharp decline in cases.
In a post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere said Cabinet resolved that some cholera treatment centres in areas where cases have reduced drastically be decommissioned.
The equipment in the treatment centres will be redistributed to existing hotspots.
“Going forward, to curb disease outbreaks, Cabinet resolved that there will be a decommissioning of cholera treatment centres in areas where cases have reduced, and the redistribution of equipment to current hotspots; and the prioritisation of the purchase of oral cholera vaccines to provide a second dose for districts that were targeted for the first campaign to ensure protection for three years,” he said.
Dr Muswere also said cases in the country have significantly declined because of sound response strategies implemented by Government.
“The implementation of sound response strategies, such as high community awareness, improved case management, establishment of oral rehydration points and cholera treatment camps, and the vaccination programme, is continuing in known hotspots,” he said.
Dr Muswere said Cabinet also resolved to enforce onsite servicing of new residential areas and suburbs before residents take occupation of houses as well as ensure that small-scale miners operating in mining areas prioritise the provision of water and sanitation facilities in mining compounds to curb outbreaks.
Manicaland Provincial Medical Director, Dr Munyaradzi Mukuzunga could not be reached for a comment as his mobile phone repeatedly went unanswered.
However, a well-placed source in the ministry who requested not to be named, citing protocol, said the decommissioning and re-directing of resources has started in less busy treatment centres.
“Cholera treatment centres at Zvipiripiri and Mudanda clinics in Buhera and Chiadzwa in Mutare rural are no longer busy because of the significant decline in cases in those areas, and we are now re-directing resources to other treatment centres.
“Cases have declined drastically to a point where we are recording less than 10 or no case at all on most days. The districts which were previously considered hotspots are now safe spots. Cases we are currently recording are imported from other districts by travellers,” said a source privy to the development.
The source said the ministry has been treating water and providing sanitary facilities in small-scale mining areas and illegal settlements like Mahalape in Mutare.
By Wednesday, a cumulative 29 231 suspected cholera cases, 71 laboratory confirmed deaths, 550 suspected cholera deaths and 2 720 laboratory confirmed cases were reported nationwide.
