Amidst the ongoing cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe, which has recorded more than 2,000 suspected cases and tragically claimed the lives of 15 individuals confirmed by laboratory tests, Higherlife Foundation is taking action by providing crucial resources in the fight against the disease.
Ms Gladys Mvumira, the Higherlife Foundation Water and Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Lead, said they have already handed over some essential consumables to authorities leading the cholera response.
“So far, we have distributed 120 water tap buckets, 120 water guards (375 millilitres) and 10 pairs of gumboots,” she said.
“We have also supplied 20 rain suits and 50 industrial-grade gloves.”
All these resources are being shared between Budiriro and Glen View in Harare, as the two suburbs are epicentres.
“Given that Budiriro Polyclinic is the designated Cholera Treatment Centre in the area and responsible for handling cases, we have supplied them with the necessary PPE,” Mvumira explained.
Higherlife Foundation has placed a special emphasis on addressing the needs of schools within its response to the cholera outbreak.
The Foundation is presently in the process of distributing eight handwashing stations to eight affected schools in Glen View and Budiriro.
Mvumira further stated, “We plan to provide training on handwashing and basic hygiene to school health masters and community leaders in Glen View and Budiriro.”
Since the onset of the outbreak, the Foundation, through the Cholera Elimination Secretariat, has been engaging the National Taskforce on Cholera Elimination, a collective of key players in Zimbabwe’s health policy implementation, including the Government, the World Health Organisation to understand their needs and the broader strategy to manage the spread of the waterborne disease.
With a current recovery rate of 95% in the country, as of 19 June 2023, it is hoped that the continued interventions from Higherlife Foundation and its partners in the Cholera Secretariat will significantly minimise the loss of life.
So far, Zimbabwe has recorded 2792 suspected cholera cases, 730 confirmed cases and 2692 recoveries.
