TANATSWA KANDENGA
The Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) will put in place measures to combat the spread of cholera at tobacco selling venues ahead of this year’s marketing season, Business Times can report.
Cholera has been ravaging communities across the country since the beginning of the year.
Since the outbreak, there have been about 16,815 suspected cases, 2,019 confirmed cases, 14,578 recoveries, 67 confirmed deaths, and 308 suspected deaths.
The case fatality rate is 2.2%.
The TIMB spokesman, Chelesani Tsvare, disclosed the plan.
“Before the official opening of the marketing season, TIMB will release a state of preparedness report which will be done in consultation with relevant ministries.
“The report will present measures to be put in place to combat the spread of cholera at the tobacco selling points,” she told Business Times yesterday.
Tsvare did not, however, disclose the actual date marking the beginning of the marketing season.
The dates will be announced when it is appropriate by Dr. Anxious Masuka, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development.
“TIMB has consulted industry stakeholders on suggested dates for the opening of the 2024 marketing season. The agreed dates will then be communicated by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development in due course,” she told Business Times.
