…cases soar to 6 000
Another toddler died as a result of diarrhoea-related complications in the Zambezi region last month.
This brings to 12 the number of children under the age of five years that have died as a result of diarrhoea in the region this year, the Ministry of Health and Social Services has revealed.
Zambezi regional health director, Woita Kapumburu, revealed this to The Namibian yesterday, saying that the cases have increased from 1 146 to 6 960 from 24 August to 30 August.
He adds that they have also recorded 255 hospital admissions for diarrhoea.
“Delays in seeking medical assistance are being observed, as some children are brought in already in critical condition,” he says.
Kapumburu says that the identified causes are poor sanitation, poor hygiene, unsafe water storage, low rotavirus vaccination coverage practices, and inadequate sewage and wastewater management.
He says that open defecation is a challenge in affected communities and as a result, it increases the risk of faecal contamination of the environment and subsequent faecal-oral transmission.
“Furthermore, some households were found to store water in containers for prolonged periods.
The containers were reportedly not cleaned or washed adequately before reuse, creating a potential risk for contamination of stored water.
Concerns regarding sewage disposal and wastewater management were noted in some areas, with the potential to contribute to environmental contamination.
Rotavirus immunisation coverage in the region was reported to be low, with missed or delayed vaccination opportunities having increased susceptibility among eligible children,” he says.
He adds that as of September there has been a decline in diarrhoea cases, saying that they have started to treat these cases in isolation to prevent further transmission.
“We have a triage corner at the casualty department where they are being treated as they come.
Health education is being conducted daily in the health facilities and community, and as the client comes on, identifying the early signs, preventions and how to prepare homemade ORS [oral rehydration solution].
Furthermore, radio talks are being conducted every Wednesday at 18h00,” he says.
National Organisation of Parents in Education regional chairperson Dobson Kwala says this outbreak must be a wake up call for the Katima Mulilo Town Council to immediately find permanent solutions for the overflowing sewerage and open defecation challenges in town to ensure a safe environment for children.
“I am concerned about this unfortunate diarrhoea outbreak that has already killed vulnerable infants and toddlers.
Therefore, finding a solution for these elevated diarrhoea cases in the region must be a multisectoral responsibility.
Regional leadership must also take this matter up with the World Health Organisation to support the health ministry through outreach programmes that will raise awareness,” he says.
Kwala says the health ministry should expand the scope of their combating efforts to the borders to test travellers to ensure that they do not enter with such transmittable infections.
