News / Health
Be wary of a diarrhoea outbreak
20 Nov 2014 at 14:20hrs | Views
Following the recent rains, a diarrhoea outbreak in Harare is something the City Fathers cannot afford to wake up to, as they did on the recent floods and smashing of cars by falling trees in the streets of the central business district.
Official reports have it that, diarrhoea has so far claimed 10 lives as of last week with 13 032 cases having been reported countrywide. Given the unclean water that has been supplied by the City of Harare to residents, coupled by the rainy season, it is a matter of time before the diarrhoea scourge creeps into the capital city.
The city officials should prioritize measures to provide safe and adequate water to residents as this season comes with a plethora of waterborne diseases such as typhoid, cholera and common diarrhoea. The cases of diarrhoea and related deaths being reported can spiral out of control and cause a nationwide health crisis.
The recent floods in the central business district and smashing of cars by aging trees is indexical to the laxity of the City Council to contain the challenges that have come with this rain season. This also translates to the unfilled potholes and half done municipal jobs that have left gorges to be filled by the rains. The city authority should prioritize the safety of the public and conserving of human life than installing cameras in the improperly light streets whose benefit has not been realised anyhow.
The festive season and holidays are characterized by a lot of travelling; hence, chances of diarrhoea to spread nationwide are great. Consistent refuse collection and the re-opening of the blocked drainage system is of paramount importance to avoid stagnant water which harbour water borne diseases.
Responsible authorities, such as the Ministry of Local government, Public Works and National housing, Ministry of Health and Child Care and the Civil Protection Unit should come together and aid councils in putting up measures that avoid the unnecessary loss of human life.
The 2013-14 rain seasons saw flood reigning havoc in Matabeleland North and Masvingo provinces. People from the affected regions were left homeless and that should serve as an eye opener to the responsible authorities to be pro- active than reactive all the time.
The timely intervention of the responsible authorities instils confidence in the public and generally gives an impression that they are doing something. This eventually translates to consumers contributing or playing their part by paying rates and other service delivery fees.
Official reports have it that, diarrhoea has so far claimed 10 lives as of last week with 13 032 cases having been reported countrywide. Given the unclean water that has been supplied by the City of Harare to residents, coupled by the rainy season, it is a matter of time before the diarrhoea scourge creeps into the capital city.
The city officials should prioritize measures to provide safe and adequate water to residents as this season comes with a plethora of waterborne diseases such as typhoid, cholera and common diarrhoea. The cases of diarrhoea and related deaths being reported can spiral out of control and cause a nationwide health crisis.
The recent floods in the central business district and smashing of cars by aging trees is indexical to the laxity of the City Council to contain the challenges that have come with this rain season. This also translates to the unfilled potholes and half done municipal jobs that have left gorges to be filled by the rains. The city authority should prioritize the safety of the public and conserving of human life than installing cameras in the improperly light streets whose benefit has not been realised anyhow.
Responsible authorities, such as the Ministry of Local government, Public Works and National housing, Ministry of Health and Child Care and the Civil Protection Unit should come together and aid councils in putting up measures that avoid the unnecessary loss of human life.
The 2013-14 rain seasons saw flood reigning havoc in Matabeleland North and Masvingo provinces. People from the affected regions were left homeless and that should serve as an eye opener to the responsible authorities to be pro- active than reactive all the time.
The timely intervention of the responsible authorities instils confidence in the public and generally gives an impression that they are doing something. This eventually translates to consumers contributing or playing their part by paying rates and other service delivery fees.
Source - Caitlin Kamba
