adminEmergency preparedness is what we sometimes take for granted but it is quite an important aspect of our existence. It takes planning for one to be ready both in good and bad times to face whatever circumstance one might be confronted with.
At the onset of the rain season, we were made aware of the challenges of clogged storm drains that could lead to flooding should there be heavy rains in urban areas while the wet season also comes with mosquito breeding, with the moisture also promoting the breeding of flies especially where waste disposal is bad.
The environmental changes keep us on our toes. Just this weekend, the country has been placed on alert due to the approaching Cyclone Freddy that has also wreaked havoc in Madagascar and is now headed for Mozambique.
However, already on our shores is the threat of cholera, with a few cases having been reported in Chegutu in the past week or so. We reported in our last edition the concern that council was raising over backyard food sellers and the general cleanliness of restaurants in Bulawayo. We believe this should be taken seriously as the threat of disease is real, especially since the city has witnessed a number of diarrhoea cases.
This calls for preparedness which means the highest standards of hygiene in our homes, restaurants and everywhere else where humans interact. The past week exposed waste disposal challenges that the city, and we are sure many other areas, face as the streets were almost flooded with refuse after the heavy rains and rotting waste, especially along the streets where vegetable markets are located.
We believe that the public, businesses working together with council can come up with improved waste disposal measures and improve our environment to forestall disaster.
We are saddled with so many challenges that include water rationing, electricity load shedding and burst sewers that all affect the quality of our food hence the need to be alert and be prepared than be sorry when we are hit by cholera. Prevention is better than cure. We are well aware that an epidemic is something that would test all our health systems, and we are better off improving our hygiene and getting rid of spoiled food as there is a lot of it due to power outages and other factors.
Cholera is at our doorstep and we need to know that the disease thrives where there is poor hygiene. In your own small way, maintain good hygiene at home and when you move around place litter in a bin so that you protect yourself and the rest of the community against disease. Our food outlets have been warned that they need to stick to their licensing terms without compromise.
mbulelo smpofu
shloboe boe
