Gibson Mhaka
AS part of efforts to stop the spread of cholera, the Government will monitor and supervise all public gatherings during the Easter Holiday, a time synonymous with large church gatherings.
Zimbabwe’s cumulative suspected cholera cases are at 29 144 (Tuesday). In his post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said all gatherings must obtain prior clearance and should be supervised by health authorities.
He said going forward, no church gatherings must take place until church leaders install solar-powered boreholes or bush pump boreholes as well as sanitation facilities.
“In light of the impending Easter Holidays, the Cabinet has directed the Ministry of Health and Child Care to intensify monitoring and supervision of all gatherings to minimise the spread of cholera. Cabinet further directed that going forward, no church gatherings must take place until church leaders install solar-powered boreholes or bush pump boreholes.
“Known hotspots are being targeted with community awareness and the deployment of oral rehydration points and establishment of cholera treatment camps. The Ministry of Health and Child Care is working with Apostolic Women Empowerment Trust in training Interfaith Leaders in Manicaland and Masvingo provinces, to strengthen actions to address collaborative and collective initiatives in the response to the cholera and polio outbreaks,” said Dr Muswere.
Dr Muswere said Cabinet was concerned about some churches that continue to gather in places without safe water or sanitation facilities.
“His Excellency the President, Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, has since directed that solarised water facilities and boreholes should be installed in order to ensure the provision of safe water and sanitation at Karuyana Shrine, among other sites,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Child Care continues to conduct integrated training in case management, surveillance, infection prevention and control, and social mobilisation for Midlands, Masvingo, Mashonaland Central, and Mashonaland West Provinces in order to beef up staff already trained.
