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Typhoid outbreak - Index of articles
Zim
CSO's petition govt over medieval diseases
Zimbabwean Civil Society Organisations
August 08, 2012
Petition to
the Inclusive
Government
To: The President
of the Republic of Zimbabwe
The Prime
Minister of the Republic of Zimbabwe
The Minister
of Finance
The Minister
of Local Government Rural and Urban Development
The Minister
of Water Resources and Development
The Minister
of Health and Child Welfare
The Mayor
of the City of Harare
The Mayor
of Chitungwiza
We, the undersigned
citizens and represented Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), do
hereby petition the Government of Zimbabwe through the relevant
line ministries and local authorities to immediately set up effective
strategies to address the recurring problems of the outbreak
of the Typhoid fever and Cholera in Zimbabwe.
In the past
week at least two hundred (200) cases of Typhoid outbreak have been
recorded in parts of Harare and Chitungwiza while Bulawayo has perennially
had chronic water shortages. More cases continue to emerge in these
areas mainly because of the absence of clean water and proper sanitation
within the areas.
The latest incidents
of Typhoid outbreak are part of a disturbing pattern that Zimbabweans
are now accustomed to due to the dereliction of duty at several
levels by the functionaries of government. The Typhoid and Cholera
Outbreaks are now part of annual occurrence in Zimbabwe:
- In 2008/2009
Zimbabwe recorded its largest ever Cholera
outbreak in history that affected all ten provinces. Around
100 000 people were positively diagnosed with Cholera and about
5 000 people died of this preventive disease. The people affected
surpass causalities of even most areas in war and conflict
- In 2010
the Cholera epidemic once again reared its ugly head on innocent
victims with about 64 districts in Zimbabwe being affected. At
least 500 cases were recorded
- In 2011
helpless Zimbabweans once again fell victim to the Cholera epidemic
with at least 1 500 people receiving positive diagnosis
- In February
2012 at least 3 000 cases of Typhoid were recorded
- Within five
months, the Typhoid epidemic has struck again with at least 200
cases confirmed in the past week. More cases are emerging everyday
in parts of Harare and Chitungwiza
At the heart
of the problem is failure by government through the relevant functionaries
to address a basic problem through, a sustainable strategy of providing
clean water and sanitary provisions that meet the minimum standards
recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is common
knowledge that these cholera and Typhoid epidemics thrive in areas
that lack clean water and have no proper sanitation. It is the responsibility
of government to come up with short-term and long-term solutions
to the problem of clean water and sanitation. Whilst the government
continues to fold its arms Zimbabweans continue to perish annually
from epidemics that are now consigned to the dustbin of history
in most countries across the world. The government of Zimbabwe has
therefore violated its citizens' right to Health and the right
to water.
THEREFORE, the
undersigned petitioners demand that the government immediately sets
out a comprehensive epidemic reduction strategy to deal with the
recurring problems. More particularly the Government should:
In the short
term,
- Engage in
candid self-reflection on the dereliction of duty that has resulted
in so many deaths and untold suffering to the communities as pointed
out above
- Immediately
set up a Commission to investigate the countrywide recurrence
of these water-borne epidemics and recommend solutions that address
the problem once and for all.
- Come up
with short-term strategies to curtail further outbreaks of Cholera,
Typhoid and other easily preventable water-borne diseases
In the long
term:
- Come up with
a sustainable strategy that includes a clear plan for provision
of clean water and sanitation to all communities
- Mobilize
financial and technical resources domestically and through its
international funding and technical partners dedicated towards
a sustainable and effective plan to eradicate these water-borne
diseases
- Have robust
early-warning mechanisms, to detect the occurrence of the epidemics
and respond effectively and swiftly in the event of such future
recurrence
- Set up clear
accountability structures in the event of future recurrences
- Put in place
targets, timelines and indicators and monitor progress
Endorsed By:
Artists for
Democracy in Zimbabwe Trust
Combined Harare
Residents Association
Counseling Services
Unit
Crisis in Zimbabwe
Coalition
Gays and Lesbians
of Zimbabwe
Harare Residents
Trust
Media Institute
of Southern Africa
Media Monitoring
Project of Zimbabwe
National Association
of Non-Governmental Organisations
National Constitutional
Assembly
Platform for Youth
Development Trust
Research and Advocacy
Unit
Zimbabwe Association
for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of the Offender
Zimbabwe Association
of Doctors for Human Rights
Zimbabwe Election
Support Network
Zimbabwe Environmental
Law Association
Zimbabwe Human
Rights Association
Zimbabwe Human
Rights NGO Forum
Zimbabwe Lawyers
for Human Rights
Zimbabwe Peace
Project
Zimbabwe Women
Lawyers Association
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