World Vision Zimbabwe is continuing a coordinated response to the worsening cholera situation by providing desperately needs medical supplies, boreholes, health education and personnel to affected areas.
According to Daniel Muchena, World Vision Zimbabwe Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs Director, "We are implementing a multi-faceted programme through health awareness sessions with communities and the provision of 500 cholera kits that will be distributed in all WV Zimbabwe district offices to protect members of staff as well as the communities that we serve."
A single cholera kit will adequately serve about 50 people. Each kit contains cholera drugs, water purification tablets, disinfectants, re-hydration kits and surgical materials such as gloves and sanitizers. Apart from distributing the cholera kits, World Vision Zimbabwe has embarked on a massive participatory hygiene and health education campaign targeting close to 2 million people.
World Vision Zimbabwe is also seeking to improve the supply of clean water through the drilling of boreholes and the provision of water tanks in some of the affected districts within its operational areas. World Vision is working to drill least 32 boreholes throughout the country. This encompasses the ongoing working in Bulawayo, where World Vision is working with the city council to drill new boreholes and rehabilitate existing ones.
The organisation also intends to spray chloride lime in dumping sites and work with the relevant authorities to clean up uncleared garbage lying around the cities.
"World Vision Zimbabwe in partnership with the Church has been mobilizing thousands of volunteers in Beitbridge town who have embarked on a massive city clean up as a mitigatory measure to reduce incidences of cholera in the town," said Pastor Kilton Moyo, World Vision Christian Commitments Coordinator.
World Vision Zimbabwe is part of a health cluster comprised of UN agencies, other NGOs and the government who are responding to the cholera outbreak with a mix of interventions in health and water/sanitation.
According to a UNOCHA report, 8,887 suspected cases and 366 deaths had been reported nationwide as of November 26, 2008.
The Ministries of Health in Zimbabwe and South Africa are working closely to try and stem the disease in the border town of Beitbridge. The Cholera outbreak continues to expand spatially; new cases and deaths were reported from Mutare and Chimanimani in Manicaland, Guruve of Mashonaland Central, Chiredzi, Mwenezi, Gutu, Chivi, and Bikita in Masvingo, and Kwekwe, Shurugwi in Midlands, and Zvimba in Mashonaland West.
The rapid deterioration of the health delivery system, lack of adequate water supply, and lack of capacity to dispose of solid waste and repair sewer blockages in most areas are the main drivers of the spread of the outbreak. Lack of hygiene practiced by vendors, food outlets and transient population is also to blame in Beitbridge. The situation is set to worsen as the rainy season progresses.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
Faith Ndaa, a malaria patient, lies on her bed at the high dependency unit of Kilifi district hospital, November 26, 2008. Billionaire Bill Gates and thousands of babies are helping Africa ...
