By Richard Shumba
Reports indicating that several cases of Cholera have been reported in Mtapa and Mkoba suburbs of Gweru have been dismissed as false by the City of Gweru.
Last week social media was awash with reports alleging that several cases of Cholera were reported in the city’s suburbs and some patients were being detained at the Gweru Provincial Hospital (GPH).
“At the moment the City Of Gweru hasn’t recorded a single case of cholera yet, but we are monitoring the situation closely,” said City of Gweru Public Relations Officer Vimbai Chingwaramusee.
Residents are living in constant fear of a cholera outbreak saying their struggles to access clean water or water-purification supplies as well as service delivery have recently intensified, putting them at greater risk.
Gweru residents say that they fear the heaps of decomposing garbage found at various points in the city center could become a breeding ground for cholera with the outset of rains.
“If you move around the city you will find heaps of garbage piled everywhere and wonder why there is no one taking action against this because sometimes you see children playing at these dumpsites which is a serious health risk,” said Elizabeth Nyoni Mkoba resident.
Another resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said the wounds of the last cholera outbreak are still fresh as they lost loved ones which has made them wonder if there are any preparations in place to curtail the outbreak.
” I lost my brother due to cholera and just thinking about it is unbearable and currently looking at the situation in Gweru where the water goes for almost 3 weeks without a single drop shows that the responsible authorities do not care about the welfare of people,” she said.
5 788 suspected cholera cases, 38 laboratory confirmed deaths, 120 suspected cholera deaths and 1 006 laboratory confirmed cases were reported as of last week Friday nationwide.
Chitungwiza is among the cities in Zimbabwe which is battling a serious cholera outbreak as on the 27th of September 2023 it recorded 50 cholera cases out of the 111 recorded countrywide.
Confirmed cholera hotspot cities include Buhera, Chegutu, Chikomba, Chimanimani, Chipinge, Chitungwiza, Chiredzi, Harare, Gokwe North, Marondera, Mazowe, Shamva, Mutare, Murehwa, Mwenezi, Seke and Wedza. #The Sun
