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Tawanda Marwizi Herald Reporter
Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS) has rehabilitated boreholes in Chegutu as part of the organisation’s efforts to reduce cases of cholera in the area. ZRCS last week rehabilitated boreholes and donated non-food items to clinics, schools and affected households as a way of managing cholera in Chegutu.

Recently, cholera claimed five people in Chegutu while several cases were treated in the Mashonaland West town. ZRCS secretary-general Mr Maxwell Phiri said it was their mandate to step in through disaster management projects when such cases arises.

“Since the source of cholera is not yet clear, we have decided to rehabilitate boreholes as well as donating non-food items in several institutions that include clinics, schools and other households,” he said.

“We need to promote health and hygiene and better management of waste. Our volunteers came and worked with the community in improving hygiene together with Ministry of Health and Child Care. They have reached about 15 000 households.”

Mr Phiri said they had donated non-food items to institutions which organise large gatherings.

“We have brought buckets and jerry cans and we are still mobilising more because there is more need for that. So far we have distributed in institutions because they are at risk since people gather at such,” he said.

Mr Phiri said his team will continue to mobilise more resources for the communities in Chegutu.

“We are still mobilising for non-food items so that we reach out to several households in Chegutu,” he said.

The district administrator, Mr Tariro Tomu, hailed the organisation for their support in managing the disaster.

“Organisations have come to assist us in several ways that include revamping water system, having hygiene awareness and donating non-food items. With the help of these organisations and different Government departments, we are managing the situation,” said Mr Tomu.

He said so far 73 cholera case have been confirmed and they have done well in treating them. Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa recently said Zimbabwe was on high alert and had reactivated its emergency response teams to deal with cases that might arise.

He said Government had also stepped up awareness campaigns, particularly on buses leaving Harare for Zambia and Malawi. Malawi has recorded cases of cholera in Lilongwe.