The United Nations has called for increased focus on children as cholera cases continue to rise in Southern Africa.
According to a statement issued by the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), 16% of new cholera infections in Zimbabwe are affecting children under 5.
UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Etleva Kadilli, said the cholera epidemic in the region is a significant concern to the health and well-being of children. More than 71 deaths have been confirmed across all provinces in the country.
“In Zimbabwe, since the start of the epidemic in February last year, more than 18,000 cases have been reported across all 10 provinces, with more than 71 confirmed deaths and more than 300 suspected deaths. Harare and Manicaland Provinces are the most affected. Investments are needed to strengthen systems to address the root causes of cholera and other public health emergencies, particularly on enhancing access to clean water, improved sanitation and hygiene, social behaviour change and quality of case management,” Kadilli said.
She said in Zimbabwe, UNICEF and its partners have reached more than 190,000 people, including 87,000 children with safe water since the outset of the epidemic.
“UNICEF has provided supplies to more than 50 cholera treatment centres for the treatment of patients. We have reached 4.4 million people with cholera messages on infection prevention and control and access to services, including an ongoing back-to-school cholera-prevention campaign. We are also supporting the government towards Oral Cholera Vaccination targeting 2.2 million people in 29 high-risk districts in 8 provinces.”
