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Diseases hit Harare suburbs
Independent Online
December 22, 2007

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=84&art_id=nw20071222123431375C862251

At least 10 people are reported to have died of dysentery and diarrhoea in two densely populated suburbs of the Zimbabwean capital.

The diseases have hit the dilapidated Harare suburbs of Tafara and Mabvuku, said the official Herald newspaper on Saturday. In February, the suburbs were hit by cholera.

"It is very difficult to bring the situation under control because the provision of adequate sanitation and water should be attained first," Health Minister David Parirenyatwa said.

"We are however very concerned about the families who lost their members," he said. The exact number of deaths has not been officially confirmed.

Like many of Harare's suburbs, Mabvuku and Tafara have been hard hit by prolonged water cuts. Acute fuel shortages also mean that refuse collection is erratic, aiding the spread of fly-borne diseases.

One resident interviewed by the paper said her 11-month-old nephew died before he could receive treatment for dysentery because of long queues of patients waiting for treatment at a clinic in Mabvuku.

"When we finally got assistance on the third day, they only prescribed some drugs, but before we even bought the prescribed drugs, he passed away," said Durai Zimuto.

The simple solution of salt and sugar prescribed for dysentery patients to replenish their lost body fluids presents a major challenge in this southern African country, where there are acute shortages of most basic household commodities. - Sapa-dpa

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