Opinion / Columnist
Call to be aware of water borne diseases
01 Mar 2017 at 16:12hrs | Views
The incessant rains have positively brought relief to the nation as bumper harvests are being expected from this year's rainy season. However, in some parts of the country particularly Matebeleland South, Manicaland, Masvingo and parts of Midlands province, the situation has become dire with floods displacing families, destroying buildings and infrastructure, leaving families in distress.
Government has called for declaration of state of disaster in some areas, with civic organizations partnering and offering assistance to the displaced families.
In neighboring countries like Mozambique which was hard hit by Cyclone Dineo, cases of cholera outbreak were recorded with over 200 people affected in several towns. Closer home, most boreholes outlets were declared to have contaminated water which was not safe for consumption.
Against this background, it is important to call for further partnerships between relevant stakeholders that include Health Officials, City Councils, Civil Organizations, private players and the general public at large to take measures and minimize getting water borne diseases.
As much as assistance is coming in form of food relief, tents and blankets, it is important for stakeholders to embark on awareness campaigns especially on issues concerning proper hygiene and access to safe clean drinking water. Citizens should desist from drinking water from open and unsecure sources and drink properly treated water. It is advisable to boil water first if one is not certain about the water's safety. In such places that flood victims are camped, like Sipepa Camp in Tsholotsho, there is need to establish proper ablution facilities and families are reminded to practise good personal hygiene.
This is an effort that calls for everyone's participation as it is everybody's responsibility to watch over our own personal health care. Much effort has to be placed at makeshifts camps to avoid the spread of diseases as the risks of contamination are high. Besides cholera and typhoid, it is also imperative to safeguard against malaria, as stagnant water pools, tall uncut grasses which are common during rainy seasons can contribute towards the increase in malaria sites breeding places. Proper dumping sites have to be erected with citizens making sure they place litter at designated dump sites, and the City Council collecting refuse diligently and on time to avoid such repeats of typhoid outbreaks.
It is important for every citizen to play his/her role in preventing themselves from getting water borne diseases. Parents and guardians have the responsibility to oversee their children's safety and health care. It is also the responsibility of the relevant stakeholders, from government to civil organizations, to contribute positively towards educating citizens as well as putting measures in place to avoid having any more catastrophes adding on to the flood disasters already being faced by the nation. Corporate sponsorship would also bring relief and assist in providing for displaced families as well as towards smooth learning of school children.
Government has called for declaration of state of disaster in some areas, with civic organizations partnering and offering assistance to the displaced families.
In neighboring countries like Mozambique which was hard hit by Cyclone Dineo, cases of cholera outbreak were recorded with over 200 people affected in several towns. Closer home, most boreholes outlets were declared to have contaminated water which was not safe for consumption.
As much as assistance is coming in form of food relief, tents and blankets, it is important for stakeholders to embark on awareness campaigns especially on issues concerning proper hygiene and access to safe clean drinking water. Citizens should desist from drinking water from open and unsecure sources and drink properly treated water. It is advisable to boil water first if one is not certain about the water's safety. In such places that flood victims are camped, like Sipepa Camp in Tsholotsho, there is need to establish proper ablution facilities and families are reminded to practise good personal hygiene.
This is an effort that calls for everyone's participation as it is everybody's responsibility to watch over our own personal health care. Much effort has to be placed at makeshifts camps to avoid the spread of diseases as the risks of contamination are high. Besides cholera and typhoid, it is also imperative to safeguard against malaria, as stagnant water pools, tall uncut grasses which are common during rainy seasons can contribute towards the increase in malaria sites breeding places. Proper dumping sites have to be erected with citizens making sure they place litter at designated dump sites, and the City Council collecting refuse diligently and on time to avoid such repeats of typhoid outbreaks.
It is important for every citizen to play his/her role in preventing themselves from getting water borne diseases. Parents and guardians have the responsibility to oversee their children's safety and health care. It is also the responsibility of the relevant stakeholders, from government to civil organizations, to contribute positively towards educating citizens as well as putting measures in place to avoid having any more catastrophes adding on to the flood disasters already being faced by the nation. Corporate sponsorship would also bring relief and assist in providing for displaced families as well as towards smooth learning of school children.
Source - Tatenda Gono
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