Bindura Municipality Working on Blocking Cholera

The Municipality of Bindura has bought extra sewer pipes in case of emergencies, says Town Clerk Evelyn Madziire.

The council is also working on increasing water supplies and hours of supply to all locations across town.

This will go a long way in curbing the spread of Cholera around the mining town.

“Rather than starting to run around when there are sewer pipes bursts, we have in stock extra pipes so that we guard communities against Cholera.

“In the event that we hear of bursts, our staff will just take those pipes and replace the damaged ones within hours,” said Madziire.

She said the municipality was geared to fight Cholera as evidenced by the arrival of a new refuse compactor to collect refuse around town. The compactor is supported by two more tractors that are routinely collecting refuse across town.

The council has also engaged temporary cleaning services from some ten casual workers also on an effort to maintain a clean environment.

The council is also working on clearing drainage canals and creating culverts in gravel roads to easy the flow of water as the rain season approaches.

Bindura has recorded a single Cholera case since the disease broke out in February this year.

Cholera cases continue to rise with more than 5 000 cases and 120 suspected deaths recorded across Zimbabwe despite efforts by the government to curb the outbreak.

According to the Health and Child Care ministry’s latest situational report, 64 new suspected cases have been reported and 43 confirmed deaths. The cases were recorded in Chitungwiza (29), Buhera (18), Masvingo (8), Gutu (4), Mutare (3) and Bikita (2).

Forty-three districts have reported cases across the country.

“As of October 28, 2023, 104 cases are hospitalised at Chiredzi (1), Zaka (2), Gutu (5) Bikita (3) in Masvingo province, Buhera (35), Chipinge (14), Mutare Rural (9) Chimanimani (4) Makoni (2) in Manicaland province, Beatrice Road Infectious Diseases Hospital (3) in Harare province, Chitungwiza (18), UMP (1) in Mash East province, Chegutu (3) Mhondoro (3) in Mash West province and Bindura (1) in Mash Central province,” the report read.

The most affected districts are Buhera, Chipinge, Mutare Rural, Chimanimani, and Makoni in Manicaland province, while Chitungwiza and Uzumba-Marangwa-Pfungwe in Mashonaland East have also been ravaged by the disease.

Chegutu and Mhondoro in Mashonaland West province have also had some cholera cases.

Last week, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the government would urgently roll out a nationwide borehole drilling programme to ensure the nation, particularly 35 000 villages, have access to a clean, safe drinking solar-powered water points.

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by the ingestion of contaminated food or water. It can be fatal if left untreated, but it is easily preventable by access to safe water and sanitation.