Local Manufacturer Prioritized in US$12 million Ch...

Local Manufacturer Prioritized in US$12 million Cholera Preparedness Plan

National Pharmaceutical Company - NatPharm | Harare

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Jenfan Muswere, has announced that the Treasury approved a budget of US$12 million for cholera preparedness.

Presenting in a Post Cabinet briefing yesterday, , Muswere said orders for medicines and commodities have been placed through Natpharm, prioritising a local manufacturer to minimize on lead time.

"Treasury has since approved a budget of US$12 million for cholera preparedness and response.

“Screening of all travelers and awareness campaigns are ongoing at all points of entry, while health education on cholera prevention and control measures including hygiene promotion is being carried out in the provinces,” Muswere said.

The Minister further highlighted that awareness campaigns including intensified school education would be carried out in all provinces.

“Cabinet has directed as follows; that intensified Risk Communication and Community engagement including involvement of religious and local leadership, intensified school health education on cholera and other diarrheal diseases, and utilisation of existing media houses and digital platforms for content dissemination be continued in all provinces especially Chitungwiza and Buhera.

“That there be improved safe water access to communities through rehabilitation of boreholes and drilling of new ones, that public health measures be enforced in all communities reporting cholera cases, including restrictions of gathering in all cholera affected areas and supervision of all burials in all cholera affected areas,” he said.

To date, the Cholera outbreak has infected 5 000 people since February and killed more than 100 people according to Government data. Cholera, a water-borne disease caused by ingesting contaminated food or water, often spreads quickly throughout the country because of the poor service delivery since 2000.

It is expected the positive step by the Government to inject the USD$12 million will go a long way in curbing the spread of cholera