Buhera partners Oxfam, CIDA, SAFIRE to revive health clubs as cholera fight intensifies
DUMISANI CHAUKE
BUHERA -Buhera residents have taken the fight against the deadly medieval cholera disease a notch up by reviving the old health clubs through funding from CIDA, Oxfam and SAFIRE with support from AGRITEX and the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
The dissemination of preventive messages through these health clubs is another tool that is being used to curb the spread of cholera.
This initiative is being funded by Oxfam, CIDA and SAFIRE as the implementer with the support from Ministry of Health and Child Care in conjunction with Agritex.
The initiative has been applauded as it shows the community’s unwavering commitment to the fight against cholera in the district at Zangama ward 17 and Gunura ward 30, as the revival of vibrant health clubs forbid poor sanitation and unhygienic practices.
These Health clubs have been making significant contribution since 2012 in the fight against diseases in their communities.
Communities have received refresher trainings that are meant for dissemination of sanitation, hygiene messages and climate change adaptation issues evidenced by the introduction of tsotso or Jengeta huni stove in all these areas to avoid land degradation.
During the site visit that was made by the government stakeholders together with SAFIRE at Zangama with six health clubs and Gunura with four health clubs, were gathered to participate and showcase their talents through songs, jingles, drama, poems on cholera and climate change adaptation issues.
All the participants who were present at the occasion proved that they really have a deep understanding of the do’s and don’ts on cholera and climate change and how these two have impacted negatively on their lives.
ln an interview with The Midweek Watch, Collins Mutudza an Agritex Extension worker for Zangama ward 17 expressed his satisfaction and gratitude on the determination people have in the fight against poor sanitation and hygiene practices that trigger cholera.
“With the support that we are getting from the government through SAFIRE, we will continue to work towards the elimination of poor sanitation and hygiene practices that triggers cholera and affect our agricultural practices,” said Mutudza.
A community member from Gunura, Melania Muchayi highlighted that people should desist from visiting prophets or traditional healers when affected by cholera as they will be aiding the spread of the disease by taking long to act on it.
“Let’s obey what our health workers are teaching us by visiting health care centres soon after the symptoms of cholera begin manifest to curb its spreading,” she said.
The issue of open defecation has also been a topical issue in both ward 17 and 30 as it is a practice that is common in the communities.
Some people do not have toilets as a result they are using bush to relieve themselves, risking spreading and contracting the deadly disease.
On climate change, government stakeholders in collaboration with SAFIRE have engaged many in livelihoods projects that includes lSALs, honey processing at Chapanduka with 39 people benefiting from the plant, individuals who are into micro irrigations, groups who are into macro irrigations such as Romorehoto Wetlands, Mandakotsira nutrition garden, some are into goat breeding and a group as a shop called Exodus Customary Center that has some groceries, a thresher and a sheller.
