There has been an increase in cholera cases in Zimbabwe. This has placed much pressure on healthcare facilities, particularly the Beatrice Road Infectious Disease Hospital (BRIDH) in Harare, the country’s capital.
To solve this problem and ensure accessible treatment for all, the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare City Council with the support of the World Health Organisation (WHO), has started decentralising cholera treatment centers (CTC).
Two new cholera treatment centers (CTCs) are now operational, located at Highfields and Budiriro polyclinics.
The facilities have 10-bed capacities and supplies for 100 cases, 40 severe, and 60 moderate. This brings vital medical care closer to the most affected communities. Recommended water and sanitation (WASH) facilities have also been installed at both centers.
Dr Prosper Chonzi, Harare City Health Services Director said “Ideally cholera cases should be managed at source and people have been coming to BRIDH where we normally manage severe cases and this has overwhelmed the facility,”
“This process of decentralization of services is key to improving quality of care,” he said.
The new treatment centers being closer to affected communities means that patients suffering from cholera will no longer face long waiting times and overcrowded facilities. This means quicker diagnosis, faster access to life-saving treatment, and ultimately, better patient outcomes.
Decentralised centers will allow for more efficient case management, reducing the risk of further transmission within densely populated urban areas. Training for the health personnel manning the centers has also been done.
The new centers will also serve as hubs for health education, offering residents vital information about hygiene practices, safe water sources, and proper sanitation measures. This empowers communities to play an active role in curbing the spread of the disease and strengthens their long-term resilience against future outbreaks.
The construction of the Highfields and Budiriro CTCs brings the total number of WHO-supported centres to nine, with a total of 130 beds distributed. These treatment centers are being established or upgraded in high cholera-burdened areas. In Manicaland, two centers were upgraded at Chiadzwa and Zvipiripiri Rural Health Centres, one at Pore Pore Clinic in Masvingo, and one in Harare at BRIDH. Also, in Harare, support has been provided to St Mary’s Polyclinic, Chitungwiza Central Hospital, and Stoneridge Polyclinic. Funding for these activities is coming from the Health Resilience Fund, co-funded by the European Union, Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, and the Governments of Ireland and the United Kingdom.
Professor Jean-Marie Dangou, WHO Representative to Zimbabwe said.
“This initiative is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the government, healthcare providers, and international partners in tackling the cholera outbreak. By prioritising accessibility and community engagement, the decentralisation of treatment centers offers a promising solution for curbing the spread of the disease, reducing mortality, and ensuring the well-being of Zimbabweans,” said
