HARARE – The government has received a $1 million grant from the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) towards combating cholera.
Zimbabwe has been battling a cholera outbreak which started this September and has now spread to 17 districts.
The disbursement follows an international appeal for help by the cash-strapped government. The fund will be managed by the World Health Organisation.
“Whilst a response mechanism is already in existence, this financial assistance for the procurement of supplies as well as improved case management will assist to mitigate further spread of infection particularly due to increased movement of people within the country and across borders during this festive season,” AfDB country manager Damon Kitabire said on Monday.
The money will procure and distribute emergency response equipment and supplies including oral rehydration salts, chlorine diarrhoeal disease kits, drugs and training of staff and volunteers in infection control.
Since it was first reported in September, the cholera outbreak has claimed over 56 people.
According to the WHO, between 80 and 90 cases are being recorded weekly down from 2,000 recorded at the peak of the 2018 outbreak in September.
“The assistance will contribute not only to stopping this outbreak but prevent future outbreaks,” said the WHO’s representative Alex Gassaira.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said AfDB assistance is in line with the Transitional Stabilisation Programme and deepens cooperation.
Ncube said among other activities, the grant will train 100 local authorities and 300 health workers in combating cholera as well as support the health ministry’s monitoring activities.
The 2019 budget has allocated funds to 18 urban and 18 rural councils for water and sanitation infrastructure development.
Ncube’s deputy George Guvamatanga said: “There’s quite a lot of effort from the government to ensure there is water and sanitation.”
