By Evelyn Ngwenya.
The media practitioners promised to work hand in glove with the Ministry of Health in fighting cholera in Mashonaland west province, and Zimbabwe as a whole. This was a result of the Risk Communication and Community Engagement meeting held on 28 June 2024 at Chinhoyi Provincial hospital which was organized by the ministry of health for the media practitioners.
The Ministry of Health established a provincial Risk Communication and Community Engagement cholera coordination media committee that will increase awareness on prevention and treatment of cholera and early detection of other disease outbreaks in the province .The media plays a critical role in assisting Ministry of Health in the fight against cholera and detection of health outbreaks through events reporting that enables authorities to detect health outbreaks and also assist in awareness and it’s important that the media and health ministry create synergies in responding to health outbreaks.
With portable water challenges in urban areas all seven districts in Mashonaland West has been affected with a provincial cholera outbreak situation report of 27 June 2024 having two suspected cholera cases from Sanyati and Kadoma, cumulative cholera deaths currently stand on 69 deaths with 5 being confirmed as cholera deaths whilst 64 are suspected deaths linked to cholera.
The province has recorded a recovery rate of 98% from a cumulative 3771 suspected cases.
Most urban residents are now relying on boreholes as their main water sources of which some have been contaminated, leading to the spread of Cholera.
The public has been urged to monitor how authorities are carrying out their responsibilities in ensuring provision of water which is a human right through demanding of regular water source examinations as prescribed by Health Act.
Provincial Health Promotion Officer George Kambondo has urged the media to urge and raise awareness among the apostolic churches who shun medical services.
“Usually for cholera there are no drugs administered but we only ensure that we restore lost water which would have been lost by the body and many people from the apostolic sects are afraid of seeking health services fearing that they will get drugs administered on them which is a myth the media should help to demystify ” he said
During the meeting it was revealed that artisanal miners relieve themselves in the mines they would be working in putting themselves in a high risk of cholera.
Cholera is an extremely infectious disease that can cause severe acute watery diarrhea that may cause vomiting and takes between 12 hours to 5 days for symptoms to show.
Meanwhile Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital is affected by power outages which needs the institution to have a dedicated power line.
“The institution is affected by power outages that affects it’s operations and there is need for a dedicated power line” Mr Marufu said adding on to some of the challenges that they think that the media can help them to seek solutions.
