By Chief Reporter
As the country continues to grapple with the Cholera outbreak whose cumulative number stands at 29 144 confirmed cases, Government has advised that going forward church gatherings with no water and sanitation facilities will be stopped.
“Going forward, no church gatherings must take place until church leaders install solar powered boreholes or bush pump boreholes as well as sanitation facilities. All gatherings must obtain prior clearance and should be supervised by health authorities closely working with faith leaders” said a statement from Government, this to combat the disease as churches have become hot spots for Cholera.
With most churches gathering for their annual Easter conferences, the Ministry of health is leaving no stone unturned to curb the spread of cholera, activating an intense surveillance and monitoring campaign in this upcoming period.
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care is working with Apostolic Women Empowerment Trust in training Interfaith Leaders in Manicaland and Masvingo Provinces, with the objective to strengthen actions to address collaborative and collective initiatives in the response to the cholera and polio outbreaks,” indicated Government in the post cabinet press briefing.
As churches gather, Government is concerned that some churches are gathering where there is no proper water and sanitation facilities heightening the risk of cholera spread. Apostolic sects most of whom do open gatherings are notorious with this problem.
“Cabinet noted with concern that some churches continue to gather in places without safe water and sanitation facilities.His Excellency the President, Cde. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has since directed that solarized water facilities and borehole should be installed in order to ensure the provision of safe water and sanitation at Karuyana Shrine among other sites.”
The Ministry of Health and Child Care continues to conduct integrated training in case management, surveillance, infection prevention and control, and social mobilization for Midlands, Masvingo, Mashonaland Central, and Mashonaland West Provinces in order to augment staff already trained. Known hotspots are being targeted with community awareness and the deployment of oral rehydration points and establishment of cholera treatment camps.