Kuwadzana tops cholera chart in Harare

Harare (New Ziana) – Kuwadzana is Harare’s hotspot for cholera as 80 percent of the 90 new cholera cases reported in the capital were recorded in the high-density suburb, a cabinet Minister said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a post cabinet media briefing, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Jenfan Muswere said this was partly due to lack of water in the suburb, and other areas in Harare, due to failure by the city council to pump enough for residents.

He said a fact-finding team, led by Health and Childcare Minister, Dr Douglas Mombeshora to Kuwadzana had found that the suburb lacked clean, portable water supplies.

Cholera is a water-borne disease caused by consumption of dirty water. In Kuwadzana and other areas, residents resort to unclean water sources.

“The nation is advised that Cabinet has directed that clean water be availed to the residents to reduce cholera incidences, that the Civil Protection Act be activated to fight the disease and Central Government/ Media take tours to analyze the situation continuously,” Dr Muswere said.

As at November 11, the Ministry of Health and Child Care, in its weekly update on cholera, reported that the country’s suspected cholera cases were now almost 7 000, while 142 others had succumbed to the disease since February this year.

This was made up of 6 939 suspected cases, 1 191 confirmed cases, 6 652 recoveries, 49 confirmed deaths and 142 suspected deaths.

New Ziana