Chairman Douglas Gwatidzo says that unless the country's water infrastructure and health care system are rebuilt the outbreak will continue to wreak havoc. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) the official number of people killed by the epidemic so far stands at over 3900 while the total number of cases reported is nearing 87000.Â
The country has witnessed several cholera outbreaks but in each case a reasonably functioning health care and water sanitation system helped contain the disease. The current outbreak, which started in August last year, is probably the worst that Africa has ever seen.Â
ZDHR has produced a report recommending an emergency health response plan. This plan should begin by focusing on making primary and secondary care services (clinics and district hospitals) affordable and accessible to all,' it said.
The doctors want the government to ensure the concerns of health workers are addressed and that, conditions in which these workers return to work and their skills can be retained are put in place (including adequate remuneration and safe working conditions).' They say this has to be matched by ensuring safe portable water for all communities and the rehabilitation of the piping infrastructure for water in the cities. Everyone should have access to a toilet connected to a septic tank or working public sewer system or a ventilated improved pit latrine,' the doctors said.
 By Lance Guma
Post published in: Politics