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Rising diarrhoea cases cause for concern

News
HEALTH and Child Care minister David Parirenyatwa has expressed concern over the rising cases of diarrhoea.

HEALTH and Child Care minister David Parirenyatwa has expressed concern over the rising cases of diarrhoea amid reports that 14 people, among them nine children, succumbed to the disease last week.

Staff Reporter

Part of the latest disease surveillance report produced by the ministry says: “The total diarrhoea cases reported this week are 13 133 cases and 14 deaths. Of the reported 9 165 cases, nine were deaths from the under five years of age.”

Chitungwiza Hospital recorded the highest number of deaths with five, followed by Parirenyatwa Hospital with two while Umguza district in Matabeleland North province, Gweru district in Midlands province, Nyanga district in Manicaland province, Chegutu district, Zvimba district, Masvingo district and Harare hospital all recorded one death each.

The provinces which reported the highest number of diarrhoea cases were Mashonaland Central with 3 671 and Manicaland with 1 991.

In the previous week, at least 11 058 cases were reported and 19 deaths recorded.

Of the reported 6 748 cases, nine were deaths of the under five years of age.

Addressing journalists during a tour of NatPharm factory in Harare last Thursday, Parirenyatwa said the Australian government had expressed interest in providing resources for water and sanitation in urban centres to curb the outbreak of diarrhoeal diseases.

“I had a meeting with officials at the Australian embassy and they are very keen to assist in water and sanitation on issues of diarrhea,” Parirenyatwa said.

Since the beginning of the year, 224 561 cases of diarrhoea have been reported while 367 people have died with health officials blaming local authorities for contributing to the outbreak by failing to provide regular water supplies.

“The issue of water, we are running with it so that we cut down waterborne diseases,” Parirenyatwa said.