Cholera deaths in the country have climbed to 31, the Department of Health has confirmed today. Spokesperson Foster Mohale says that 29 people died in Gauteng while Mpumalanga and Free State reported one death each.
CONFIRMED CASES
Mohale says that 166 confirmed cases and 202 suspected cases have been recorded in five provinces since February this year. "Majority of cases were recorded in Gauteng which accounts for at least 92% or 152 cases, while Free State Province accounts for 5% which translates into 9 cases. Other provinces which recorded positive cases include one in Limpopo, one in Mpumalanga and three in North West." Majority of these cases were diagnosed at public laboratories. The ages of patients in Gauteng range from 1 year to 91 years, while in Free State range from 10 to 50 years. "So far, more than 600 people with suspected cholera symptoms have been seen in Gauteng and Free State hospitals," Mohale said.
MAKESHIFT HOSPITAL
The department has also established a temporary makeshift hospital in Kanana, which is the epicentre of Hammanskraal, to ease pressure on Jubilee Hospital. "The setting-up of a well-equipped temporary field health facility, Kanana Cholera Treatment Centre, has not only relieved pressure at Jubilee Hospital but also contributed to improved health-seeking behaviour amongst community members with suspected cholera symptoms," Mohale said. The department is yet to establish the cause of the outbreak.
RAMAPHOSA VISITS HAMMANSKRAAL
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa visited Hammanskraal today, the area that is hardest hit by the disease. More than 25 people died in the area in May. Ramaphosa was accompanied by several ministers and deputy ministers, including the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Thembi Nkadimeng; the Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla and the Minister of Water, Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi was also there.
ENGAGING WITH THE COMMUNITY
The President engaged with the community on the recent cholera outbreak. "The outbreak of cholera in the community of Hammanskraal has caused devastation and the three spheres of government and their agencies and non-governmental organisations have been seized with instituting mitigating measures to contain the spread of cholera," said Ramaphosa. He said the government has failed to provide residents of Hammanskraal with the basic human right of having clean running water. "We have failed the people of Hammanskraal but we are now going to put this right. We will require R4 billion and money will be made available to make sure that we revamp the Rooiwal and Temba Wastewater Treatment plants, so they can both deliver clean running water," he added. The president said for the time being, the government can only make water available through water tankers. "Revamping the Wastewater plants will take up to three years. We are going to get another water authority to come and build a smaller waterworks that will provide water, and it will be completed in six months," Ramaphosa added.
