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Harare — CHINA has pledged vaccines worth US$500 000 to fight cholera while the World Health Organisation says it will continue working with the Government to improve health and sanitation in the country to curb the spread of the disease.
China's Deputy Head of Mission in Zimbabwe Mr He Meng said his government would bring the vaccines as soon as consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were complete.
"We are sympathising with the Zimbabwean people and we want to help as best as we can to stop the spread of the cholera disease that has killed many people in this country," Mr He said.
He said China would also give Zimbabwe food aid to help ease shortages.
WHO country representative Dr Custodia Mandlhate has said containing the outbreaks with the prevailing poor water supply and sanitation was difficult hence the need for various partners to work together.
WHO -- a United Nations agency -- is supporting the Government in co-ordinating partner contribution, supporting case investigation and management and installation of the Cholera Treatment Centre, mobilisation of resources from regional governments and data collection.
It is also assisting with technical support, cross-border dialogue, logistics and sourcing of equipment.
Cholera kits worth more than US$900 000 were handed over to the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare before the outbreak as strategic stocks.
Dr Mandlhate said WHO would procure different items valued at US$400 000 to replace the stocks that are running out.
The latest report from the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs indicates that so far 366 people have died of cholera with Harare having the highest number of 108.
Beitbridge is said to have lost 74 people, Mudzi 46, Chitungwiza 32 and Goromonzi 10.
A further 8 887 cases were attended to countrywide with Harare topping the list with 4 697 cases.
Beitbridge had 2 287, Mudzi 889, Chitungwiza 20, Chinhoyi 116, Masvingo 78, Goromonzi 75 and Gweru 62.
The report noted that the outbreak had taken a regional approach with reports of cholera cases coming from South Africa and Botswana.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Council of Chiefs president, Chief Fortune Charumbira, has called on the Government to embark on spirited cholera awareness campaigns in the rural areas.
He said most rural people remained vulnerable to the disease because of lack of knowledge.
"Once communities in the remote parts of the country have awareness on the disease, then it becomes easier to control it and avoid loss of lives," said Chief Charumbira.
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"A recently developed oral vaccine for cholera is licensed and available in other countries (Dukoral from SBL Vaccines). The vaccine appears to provide somewhat better immunity and have fewer adverse effects than the previously available vaccine. However, CDC does not recommend cholera vaccines for most travelers, nor is the vaccine available in the United States ." Seems vaccines are not that effective, clean treated water is the safest solution. If Zinwa had recieved the funds that were supposedly given, or if they did indeed get teh money, spent it as was directed this whole event would never have happened.
The money was stolen by Mugabe and regime, this is why a two weeks ago there was a demand that mugabe and regime give the millions back to the NGO that gave it to them. Mugabe and regime are just scum and yet again they have killed more of there own people.
As to China giving $500 thousand what a joke and a shameful act, the Western NGO gave over $5 million. China could give Mugabe a $25 million palace but can only give $500 thousand for the sick that has been caused by mugabe and regime! Gee China and Russia go all out to help Zimbabwe and they are supposed to be friends!