TAURAI MANGUDHLA
HARARE – A young girl, possibly between nine and 11years clad in a blue school uniform walks up to the cholera screening desk at Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospital (BRIDH) in the company of her visibly worried mother.
Judging by her outfit, black heels and a matching formal skirt and jacket, the young mother was most likely on her way to work when she decided to come to terms with the possible reality of her daughter having been exposed to the cholera virus.
As news of the deadly virus spread, with warnings and advice for citizens to seek early treatment at the site of symptoms, many took heed and this mother is part of the group.
Nurses at the desk wasted no time at all to take down all necessary details before directing the mother and her sick child to a treatment desk in a quarantined zone at the hospital.
The young girl can still walk, but her dress is now soaked in rice watery stool, symptomatic of the cholera virus.
Nurses get straight to work while doctors take turns to attend to a hoard of other cholera patients filling the wards at the hospital.
When news of the cholera outbreak broke last Thursday, 35 cases had been reported with 11 having been confirmed. Only one out of the five deaths suspected to be a result of cholera was confirmed at that time.
Five days later, the numbers have shot up dramatically-with over 2 000 confirmed cases and 20 deaths, causing panic among residents in the most affected areas of Budiriro and Glen View.
Five schools were shut down while sewer system maintenance and water supplies were being put in place ahead of crucial national exams for O and A’ level classes as well as grade seven classes.
Barely a week after taking oath and being a victim of media attacks around the authenticity of his academic qualifications which are largely believed to have been key in his appointment, Health and Child Care minister Obadiah Moyo faces a cholera outbreak that is proving difficult to contain and spreading like veld fire with over 2 000 cases.
It has been a baptism of fire, by his own admission.
“As you can see, I have landed into cholera so that’s a very difficult start but we shall try and make sure that we understand the problem and come up with a solution,” Moyo said.
He is no stranger to cholera, having been at the helm of Chitungwiza Hospital, where the disease has been problematic over the years.
But this time, this is a national problem which needs action fast. The outbreak is spreading with victims increasing daily.
“We realise that the number of cases are growing by day, to date there are over 2 000 cases, and that is quite a big number,” Moyo said.
Moyo said his department had concluded that the Glen View and Budiriro areas are the epicentre of the problem.
A visit to Budiriro-Glen View area confirmed the story.
Water taps in Budiriro 1 opposite Glen View’s Tichagarika shopping centre run dry all day with water only available at night.
At times the area goes for days without water.
Residents rely on boreholes in the area, two of which have been condemned and now shut down. The two boreholes are believed to be the sources of the problem.
With a growing number of cases and recent deaths of primary school children, parents have taken action.
Some gates are locked in the afternoon to prevent children from leaving their homes to play in the streets.
Nyarai Chivhu of Budiriro 1 said her child has not been going to school since Tuesday.
“Learning was suspended until Friday, we are told, because two kids from the school died. A sizeable number of at least 20 were treated and this worries parents,” she said, adding children were given oral rehydration sachets and detergents to take home before they were sent back home.
“We just hope the situation is put under control because we don’t know what to do.”
Susan Chezhira of Glen View 1 said her neighbourhood was not as affected as Tichagarika shopping area in Glen View 8.
“Our children go to school there but they are fine, we are told its water from boreholes and some food from those dirty bush kitchens,” she said.
“I blame council for neglecting us, the city fathers should do their jobs otherwise we will perish.”
Other residents believe the number of deaths is understated.
“They talk of 20 deaths since last week when we lost two people on my street yesterday and another young guy died today. This is the case everywhere around the affected area,” said a Glen View resident, who requested anonymity.
Meanwhile, the donor community has stepped in with water deliveries and technical support as Zimbabweans exercise caution.
