PHUTI MOSOMANE
THE Gauteng department of health has confirmed that 23 people have died from the cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal, north of Tshwane.
According to the department’s latest update on Saturday, a total of 77 patients have been admitted for diarrheal disease.
Encouragingly, more than 29 patients have already recovered and been discharged, indicating positive progress in their health.
Jubilee District Hospital has reported 48 laboratory-confirmed cases of Cholera, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
Since Monday, 15 May 2023, the Jubilee District Hospital has attended to 229 patients, which includes 23 individuals who were subsequently transferred to other Tshwane-based hospitals for further treatment.
In recent days, there has been a decrease in the number of patients seeking medical attention for symptoms of diarrheal disease at health facilities.
As part of the comprehensive measures to effectively manage the diarrheal disease, the government has taken proactive steps by establishing a field hospital in Kanana.
The field hospital comprises six temporary tents, strategically set up to promptly attend to individuals presenting with symptoms of dehydration.
Vomiting and diarrhea lead to significant water loss from the body, making immediate attention crucial.
At this temporary facility, patients receive either oral hydration or Intravenous Hydration on-site, depending on their condition. Critical patients are swiftly transferred to hospitals in Tshwane for further management and admission.
The Gauteng Health Department continuously emphasizes the importance of proper hand hygiene, including thorough handwashing with water and soap or using alcohol-based sanitizers before handling food and after using the toilet.
This simple practice significantly reduces the risk of infection.
The public is advised to promptly report to their nearest health facilities when experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and dehydration.
Seeking medical treatment at the earliest ensures timely intervention.
MEC for Health spokesperson, Tshepo Shawa, underscores the criticality of avoiding the consumption of known or suspected contaminated food and water, further safeguarding against the spread of the disease.
Amnesty International SA’s Mienkie Steytler has urgently called upon the government to address the cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal, while also urging officials to take preventive measures to avoid future outbreaks.
Expressing concern over reports of untested drinking water being sold to Hammanskraal residents, City of Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink stressed the need for immediate action to rectify this situation.
EFF Gauteng Chairperson Nkululeko Dunga announces that party structures and public representatives will conduct oversight visits to water reservoirs and purification plants across the province to address the escalating cholera cases.
INSIDE POLITICS
