By Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI-Though the government recently declared that the country is now cholera free, the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) is still on high alert in Chiredzi as major causes and key drivers of cholera are still active in the district.
The ministry has so far managed to administer 84 454 oral cholera vaccinations across the district. This was revealed during MoHCC cholera sensitization meeting with journalists at Chiredzi General Hospital where it was highlighted that the ministry was on high alert despite having not recorded any case in a few weeks.
Speaking during the sensitization meeting, Chiredzi District Health Promotion Officer, David Maziva said they were still vigilant because the major drivers of cholera were still there in the district.
“We have not recorded any cholera case over the past few weeks and we are still on high alert because we don’t know when the disease will strike again.
“We still have low water and sanitation coverage in the district. There is poor access to clean water, some people are still drinking from unprotected water sources like canals and using sugarcane fields as toilets.
“We are still holding cholera awareness campaigns and making efforts to improve on water and sanitation. New boreholes are being drilled by various stakeholders, like in Mkwasine, the Mkwasine Management Committee was forthcoming as it helped in drilling some boreholes,” said Maziva.
District Nursing Officer (DNO) Leonard Bhasera said vaccine acceptance was high and even the apostolic sect members, who do not usually seek medical attention, came in numbers without being forced.
“Acceptance of Oral Cholera Vaccination was high because many people experienced the deadliness of the disease. We had an overwhelming support from the community as we managed to exhaust all the vaccines we were allocated,” said Bhasera.
He also urged those who received the Oral Cholera Vaccines to continue exercising hygiene as well as drinking from safe spots.
“Those who were vaccinated should continue exercising hygiene and drinking from protected water sources. Food should be cooked thoroughly and eaten whilst hot,” added Bhasera.
Chiredzi, which last experience life threatening cholera cases in 2008, was one of the major cholera hotspots this year, recording a sizeable number of cholera confirmed deaths.
