Zimbabwe News

Zimbabwe reports 12,483 cases of diarrhoea and 12 deaths in 1 week

Zimbabwe’s Health Ministry has reported a significant surge in cases of common diarrhoea, with 12,483 cases recorded in the week ending January 12, 2025. The alarming figures include 12 deaths, underscoring the severity of the situation, particularly for vulnerable populations such as young children. Among the reported cases, 2,867 were children under the age of five, highlighting the impact of waterborne diseases on the country’s most vulnerable demographic.

The Ministry’s weekly disease surveillance report revealed that the majority of the diarrhoea-related deaths—seven in total—occurred in Harare, the country’s capital. The remaining five deaths were spread across other regions of the country. The hospitals at the heart of the outbreak included Sally Mugabe Hospital and Parirenyatwa Group of Hospital, both in Harare Metropolitan Province, where the majority of the deaths were reported.

Cholera Outbreak

In its statement, the Ministry explained that while diarrhoea cases were widespread across the country, some provinces were more affected than others. Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland West recorded the highest numbers of cases, with 932 and 1,877 cases respectively. The increasing number of diarrhoea cases in these areas is a reflection of broader challenges in water and sanitation infrastructure, which has long been a concern in Zimbabwe.

“The weekly disease surveillance report for the week ending on 12 January 2025 shows 6,506 common diarrhoea cases and seven deaths were reported this week,” the Ministry stated. “Of the reported cases of common diarrhoea, 2,867 were under five years of age. The provinces that reported the highest number of cases were Mash Central (932) and Mashonaland West (1,877).”

The surge in diarrhoea cases comes at a time when Zimbabwe is grappling with persistent challenges related to access to clean water. A large portion of the population lives without running tap water in their homes, a situation that leaves many residents with few options but to rely on unsafe water sources. Shallow wells and boreholes, often contaminated with raw sewage due to leaking pipes, have become primary sources of water, despite the risks of waterborne diseases like cholera and diarrhoea.

Cholera

This lack of access to safe drinking water has led to recurring outbreaks of waterborne illnesses, and diarrhoea is one of the most common and deadly results. The poor state of Zimbabwe’s water and sanitation infrastructure has exacerbated the crisis, leading to a dangerous cycle of disease transmission, especially in rural areas where health services are already overstretched.

Health experts have raised concerns about the long-term impact of these outbreaks, particularly on children under the age of five, who are at a higher risk of dehydration and death from diarrhoea. Diarrhoeal diseases are often preventable with access to safe drinking water, proper sanitation, and basic hygiene practices. However, with limited resources and infrastructure, Zimbabwe faces an uphill battle in addressing these basic needs for its citizens.

In addition to the diarrhoea outbreak, the Ministry also reported 1,138 cases of malaria in the same week, along with four deaths. Guruve, located in Mashonaland Central, was the most affected area, reporting 639 malaria cases and one death. The increasing incidence of malaria is another indication of the country’s ongoing struggle with preventable diseases, particularly in areas lacking adequate healthcare facilities and preventive measures.

cholera

The twin health crises of diarrhoea and malaria underscore the urgent need for improved public health interventions in Zimbabwe. Both diseases are largely preventable and manageable with proper infrastructure, access to healthcare, and public health education. However, the country’s ongoing challenges with water and sanitation, as well as inadequate healthcare systems in rural areas, make these problems harder to solve.

The Health Ministry’s weekly report serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing water and sanitation issues to prevent further outbreaks of diarrhoea and other waterborne diseases. As the country continues to battle these health crises, the government and relevant stakeholders must prioritize investments in water infrastructure, sanitation, and public health education to reduce the impact of these preventable diseases on the population.

In the meantime, Zimbabweans continue to face the daily challenges of living without access to safe water, making them more vulnerable to deadly diseases that thrive in unsanitary conditions. The current outbreaks should serve as a wake-up call for urgent action to improve the nation’s health and infrastructure systems before the situation becomes even more dire.

In other news – Walter Magaya’s academic qualifications under investigation after alleged diploma forgery

Controversial preacher and businessman Walter Magaya, the founder of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries (PHD Ministries) and owner of Yadah Stars, is facing serious allegations of forging his academic qualifications after submitting a questionable University of South Africa (UNISA) diploma to the High Court last week.

The submission was intended to support his claim of tertiary education, but it has sparked doubts and concerns, leading to accusations of potential fraud. Read More

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