Africa Water, Sanitation & Hygiene November 2018 Vol.13 No.5 | Page 8

NEWS in brief
the construction of the Nyamiyonga Katogo water system.
“Water has been a challenge in this area. We have provided
it and this is the foundation into water development. The
Government will get water from River Kagera to serve
Mbarara. The water from Mbarara will be extended to
Isingiro to serve both domestic and irrigation needs,” he
said.
The Mulema water scheme that the President launched
supplies 30,708 homes in 25 villages and was implemented
using the Government of Uganda funds through the
Ministry of Water and Environment while the Local
Government implemented the scheme with support from
the Islamic Bank.
President Museveni said that the Government is addressing a
variety of needs that include roads, electricity, water, schools
and health services in Isingiro District. He disclosed that the
Kikagati - Muronga road will be constructed adding that the
Government will fulfill its developmental commitments in
the area in particular and other areas of the country as well.
He commended the people of Bukanga County in particular
and of Isingiro at large for their commitment to work as was
witnessed through the well managed banana plantations. He
tasked Agricultural Officers to test and analyze the soil in
Isingiro District so that Government may supply them the
appropriate fertilizers.
The area Member of Parliament, Hon. Stephen Kangwagye,
revealed that the NRM Government has provided an
effective immunization programme in Bukanga County that
has enabled rapid population growth.
Zimbabwe
Cholera Cases Continue Declining
Around Africa
director Dr Clemence Duri has said.
Dr Duri said recently, the number of deaths remained at 32,
a figure that was reported.
He said at the onset of the outbreak, at least two deaths
were being recorded daily.
“This shows that communities are taking seriously health
education being imparted to seek medical assistance early
once they start observing cholera-related symptoms.
“It also reflects well on case management by our health
workers, once patients are admitted,” said Dr Duri.
He said suspected cases had also dropped from a high of
about 1 000 cases a day at the peak of the outbreak to an
average of about 150 cases per day.
“Cases are also going down. Yesterday, 195 people were
seen at Glen View cholera treatment camp, 108 in Budiriro
and 172 at Beatrice Road Infectious Disease Hospital.
“These figures are much lower than we used to see in recent
days,” said Dr Duri.
As of yesterday, a total of 7 501 cases had been recorded
since the first case of cholera was confirmed on September
6.
Glen View and Budiriro remained the epicentre with isolated
cases reported in other parts of the country.
Since the declaration of the outbreak as a state of disaster
by President Mnangagwa, on September 12, a number
of interventions have been put in place to curb further
spreading of the bacteria that causes cholera.
Since the declaration, Government has activated national
and sub national structures through setting up of multi-
stakeholder taskforce to coordinate and mobilise resources,
intensified health education and set up of cholera treatment
centres in Harare and other affected areas.
It has also mobilised additional personnel to assist in
attending to patients, removed illegal vendors from the
streets and temporarily closed affected schools in Glen
View.
Government has also initiated plans to attend to water and
reticulation systems in Harare, particularly in Glen View and
Budiriro areas and launched an appeal of $64,1 million to
assist in effectively containing the outbreak.
A number of organisations, including corporates have since
contributed money and goods in response to the appeal.
Cholera outbreak takes toll on poor in Harare
Cases of suspected cholera are beginning to decline in
Harare following massive interventions put in place by the
Government and its partners, Harare City acting health
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Africa Water, Sanitation & Hygiene • November 2018