In response to the cholera outbreak beyond Harare’s borders, a highpowered team from Cimas Medical Aid Society has visited the St Mary’s Cholera Treatment Centre in Chitungwiza, where it handed over items for the treatment and prevention of cholera.
It also presented the centre with care packages for doctors, nursing staff and general hands working at the centre, as part of its donation.
Cimas Medical Services managing director Tsitsi Moyo and Cimas chief medical officer Dr Douglas Gwatidzo handed over the supplies to Chitungwiza director of health and environmental services Dr Tonderai Kasu and Matron Gertrude Zhakata.
Dr Kasu said the donation had come at an opportune time when the centre was running low on supplies. He said the municipality had been well prepared for an outbreak of cholera but, with the bacteria being resistant to traditional drugs, it had been overwhelmed by the number of people seeking treatment.
“As a result the stocks we had were quickly running out and we had almost exhausted our supplies. This assistance from Cimas has therefore helped us to top up. We are now in a better place,” he said.
Dr Kasu said the centre had been proactive in managing the situation and was fortunate not to have recorded any fatalities. The greatest challenge at the moment was the shortage of staff, which had seen some staff members working 12- hour shifts. There was also a shortage of protective clothing.
Mrs Zhakata also expressed her appreciation of the Cimas donation.
She said all the items donated were much needed at the centre.
“The bleach will come in handy, especially now in the absence of aqua tablets. It is ideal for this place. So are the rehydration sachets.
“When we discharge patients we give them the oral rehydration sachets to take back home for rehydration for a few more days. As it is, it is hot, which can lead to dehydration, more so when one is sick,” she said.
“The hand-wash is important for infection control not only for the infected but for the staff at this centre as well,” she added. Cimas has already provided assistance to Harare’s Glen View Polyclinic. Cimas group marketing executive Tendai Murahwa said Cimas was keen to help in the fight against cholera.
“Last month we provided assistance to the Glen View Polyclinic. When we learnt that Chitungwiza’s cholera centre also badly needed supplies, we decided to do what we could to assist it,” she said.
