A total 25 cases, out of 121 suspected Cholera cases that have been reported in Zimbabwe to date, are emanating from one village in Mozambique.
The villagers from Kadunje are currently being treated for Cholera at Chiwenga Clinic, Centenary District, Mashonaland Central Province, bordering Mozambique.
While the move could exert pressure on Zimbabwe’s healthcare in the face of a looming local Cholera outbreak where eight cases have already been confirmed, Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health and Child (MoHCC) says they cannot turn away patients from seeking treatment regardless of nationality or migration status.
In an interview with HealthTimes, Ministry of Health National Spokesperson, Mr Donal Mujiri said their mandate was to save lives.
As you are aware, most Clinics that are in areas bordering Mozambique end up treating nationals from both Zimbabwe and Mozambique due to the porous nature of our boarders. We cannot send patients away. As the Ministry of Health, we are mandated to treat every patient who presents with an illness at our facilities regardless of their nationality,” said Mr Mujiri.
He said as long as there is no barrier, a person goes to seek treatment to any health facility that is near them.
Speaking on Zimbabwe’s unfolding Cholera situation, Mr Mujiri said they were on high alert.
“We are very much prepared, if you check, we have been monitoring and tracking the situation and for the past two days, no Cholera case was recorded. We are in control of the situation.”
22 new cholera suspected cases and 0 laboratory confirmed cases were reported on 16 March, 2022. These were reported from Centenary (11), Beitbridge (10) and Chegutu (1). 11 of the suspected cases are Mozambican nationals from Kadunje Village who sought treatment at Chiwenga Clinic, Centenary District, Mashonaland Central Province, bordering Mozambique. As of 16 March 2023, 12 cases are hospitalized at Chivi District Hospital Cholera Treatment Unit (CTU) (1), Masvingo Province, (1) Chinengundu Clinic Chegutu District, Mash West Province and (11) Beitbrige District Hospital CTC, in Mat South Province.
Tests done 121 RDT done, 23 RDT positive (18.3 % positivity) and Culture 110 culture done, 8 culture positive (8.2 % positivity). 11 New recoveries: National Recovery Rate is at 99 % & cases in-care 12. As of today, Zimbabwe has 121 suspected cholera cases, 8 confirmed cases, 108 recoveries & 1 Death.
Meanwhile, Mozambique has to date recorded 7720 Cholera case, making it is one of the countries in the Southern African Region with highest Cholera cases after Malawi which has 36081. The whole African region, 44839 Cholera cases have been confirmed while 1245 deaths have been recorded.
Health and Climate experts have warned that the situation in Mozambique and Malawi could worsen at the back Tropical Cyclone Freddy which has heavily destroyed health and water infrastructure. In Mozambique, Tropical Storm Freddy, which made landfall on 24 February, has caused widespread infrastructure damage. More than 44 000 people have been affected, 55 health facilities damaged or destroyed and nearly 3500 km of road damaged, according to preliminary assessments.
In other news – Zimbabwe army and police get 400% pay hike
Teacher’s unions have slammed government over the selective remuneration of its workforce following the controversial awarding of a 400 percent pay hike to the military and police.
Teachers are currently the lowest paid civil servants, earning around ZW$36,000 plus a US$120 foreign currency component. Learn More
