SYDNEY MUBAIWA
KWEKWE- At least 15 people have succumbed to silicosis at Kwekwe General Hospital since January this year.
Kwekwe District Hospital Acting Medical Superintendent Dr Bruce Mhondiwa confirmed the deaths to The Midweek Watch, saying cases were on the increase.
“Silicosis has become an elephant in the room and it is a condition which cannot be reversed.
“So far, 15 patients have died of silicosis since January this year at Kwekwe hospital alone.
“Silicosis is closely linked to tuberculosis and as such, some cases go unreported since most of them are being diagnosed as tuberculosis. That is the major worry we have because most people are failing to diagnose the disease as they confuse it with tuberculosis which can be treated. At the end of the day we end up having people diagnosing the disease late and some even dying because they maybe not aware of the symptoms,” he said.
Addressing miners in Gweru recently, Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Owen Ncube urged miners to protect themselves when conducting mining operations.
He also urged local Civil Protection Units to conduct awareness campaigns educating miners on the dangers of the deadly disease.
Silicosis is an incurable lung disease which is caused by breathing in tiny bits of silica.
The use of chemicals such as mercury and cyanide in mining is believed to be fueling the disease.
