by Rudo Saungweme
Government has revealed that the cholera outbreak, which has claimed 32 people, has finally been contained due to various interventions from Government, development partners and the private sector.
This was revealed during a press briefing co-hosted by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube and that of Health and Child Care, Dr Obadiah Moyo.
Minister Ncube said that the containment of the outbreak followed the emergency response given by stakeholders after the Government declared the epidemic a national disaster. He said that the funding required was US$64.1 million of which US $25.4 million is needed in the immediate term, US $34.9 million in the medium term and US $3.7 million in the long term.
"Resources mobilised to date of US $29 million fully cover the immediate requirement of US $ 25.4 million," he said adding that the funding gap now required is US $35.1million.
PSMI company donated US $200 000 and promised to participate in the fight against Cholera by giving educational support and health care if need arises. Zimplats has donated antibiotics, 1 350 litres of water needed to help in hydrating patients and water chemicals. Rainbow Tourism group said the company would provide food to health care professionals and Cholera patients.
Minister Ncube cited case management and infection prevention, water and sanitation which encompasses treatment, solid waste management and environmental health, health and hygiene promotion, risk assessment in hot spots and civil protection coordination as the areas that have since received the emergency response intervention.
Hon Moyo outlined the measures needed to contain the outbreak of Cholera in entirety. He said that there was need of provision of safe adequate water at all times to all residents of Harare as a matter of priority.
Dr Moyo said that vending in undesignated areas such as pavements, streets and unlicensed premises must be stopped. Vendors have responded well by moving away from undesignated areas to the properly designed Fourway Flea Market at Corner Julius Nyerere and Kenneth Kaunda.
