Update on Zimbabwe Health and Political Crisis
The political troubles in Zimbabwe have taken a toll on the population’s health. A severe cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe and the surrounding region including South Africa, Angola, and Mozambique continues to claims more lives. The situation is critical.
Many people are struggling to get clean water and enough food. The cholera epidemic seems to be gathering new momentum. Figures released by the WHO show a massive increase from a “cumulative total of 48 623 cases and 2 755 deaths, with an overall fatality rate of 5.7 per cent”.
According to the Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) in a report released last week the cholera outbreak is fuelled by the collapse of Zimbabwe’s health, water, and sanitation systems. The report points out that the decline in the nation’s health care system is “exacerbating the country’s HIV/AIDS epidemic.” The increased efforts to treat cholera and other infectious diseases present an “acute” threat to inpatients AIDS care in Zimbabwe says Dr David Sanders who was part of the PHR team.
The political troubles in Zimbabwe have taken a toll on the population’s health. A severe cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe and the surrounding region including South Africa, Angola, and Mozambique continues to claims more lives. The situation is critical.
Many people are struggling to get clean water and enough food. The cholera epidemic seems to be gathering new momentum. Figures released by the WHO show a massive increase from a “cumulative total of 48 623 cases and 2 755 deaths, with an overall fatality rate of 5.7 per cent”.
According to the Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) in a report released last week the cholera outbreak is fuelled by the collapse of Zimbabwe’s health, water, and sanitation systems. The report points out that the decline in the nation’s health care system is “exacerbating the country’s HIV/AIDS epidemic.” The increased efforts to treat cholera and other infectious diseases present an “acute” threat to inpatients AIDS care in Zimbabwe says Dr David Sanders who was part of the PHR team.
The political and economic crisis continues with no end in sight despite the intervention of SADC. The country’s hyperinflation has made treatment unaffordable. The public health system, like the private institutions, now charge fees in US dollars or rands, which most of the population have no access to.
More Information contact:
Regis Mtutu
, TAC International Solidarity Coordinator: + 27 84 310 8614
