The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) health department has issued a strong appeal to residents to promptly report all cases of diarrhea to prevent the spread of cholera within the city.
This urgent call was made by BCC Clinical Medical Officer, Dr. Thulani Sigauke, during a media briefing on Thursday, providing an update on the city’s cholera situation.
The meeting, hosted by the Humanitarian Information Facilitation Center in collaboration with the Health Communicators Forum, revealed that Bulawayo has recorded approximately 12 suspected cholera cases, with three confirmed positive cases and one death.
Dr. Sigauke expressed concern over the tendency of some residents to withhold information about diarrhea cases due to fears of being quarantined at healthcare facilities during treatment. He emphasized the importance of early medical attention, stressing that cholera requires swift intervention.
“We urge residents to bring their loved ones to the clinic immediately upon observing any diarrheal symptoms,” Dr. Sigauke urged. “Delaying medical attention can be fatal, as demonstrated by the recent death of a child who was brought to the clinic too late. We strongly advise against resorting to alternative medicines first, as cholera is a disease that demands immediate response.”
Dr. Sigauke assured the public that Bulawayo’s Thorngrove Referral Hospital is well-equipped to handle cholera patients, with ample space and beds to accommodate them. He also highlighted the city’s efforts to trace all identified cases to effectively curb the spread of the disease.
Acknowledging the city’s precarious water situation, Dr. Sigauke reassured residents that the Thorngrove Referral Hospital has implemented alternative water sources to ensure adequate water supply for patients in case of disruptions in the city’s water supply.
“The correlation between water supply and diarrheal diseases is a critical factor to monitor closely,” Dr. Sigauke explained. “These cases typically emerge around the same time as our dams start depleting during the winter season, leading to water cuts. While we strive to conserve water, we also prioritize minimizing diarrhea cases.”
To address the water scarcity issue, Dr. Sigauke detailed the installation of jojo tanks with solar pumps and ongoing efforts to drill additional boreholes at the facility. He also mentioned the city’s water kiosks and periodic bowser dispatchments to provide residents with access to water.
“Despite receiving less rainfall this year, the city council has contingency plans in place to ensure adequate water supply during periods of high demand,” Dr. Sigauke concluded.
