NEHAWU Gauteng Statement On The Cholera Outbreak
Wednesday May 24, 2023
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] in Gauteng Province is deeply concerned about the growing number of reported cholera cases.
Currently, the total number of cholera cases in the province continues to grow with 17 deaths reported. This deeply is concerning and requires an urgent intervention. As NEHAWU, we are worried that if there is no urgent intervention the situation would get worse and totally out of control.
As NEHAWU, we call on the provincial government in particular the Department of Health working with the Department of Water and Sanitation to put in place measures to mitigate the situation which amongst others must entail surveillance and monitoring, proper water and sanitation facilities, safe drink water, water treatment, and extensive awareness campaign educating the public about cholera and how to mitigate the dangers of the bacterial disease.
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae and it remains a threat to the public health. Equally, cholera can be eliminated where there is access to clean water and sanitation facilities, as well as good hygiene practices.
Hence, as NEHAWU, we call on the provincial government to put in place measures to ensure that there outbreak is contained as quickly as possible. The response to this outbreak should not be lacklustre as we witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The government across all spheres should respond effectively to the outbreak.
Equally, the government should ensure that healthcare workers are protected by providing these workers with all the necessary resources required for them to save and protect the lives of those that have contracted bacterial disease.
Lastly, as NEHAWU, we send our heartfelt condolences to the families that have lost their loved ones.
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Issued by NEHAWU Gauteng Secretarat Office
For more information, please contact: Mzikayise Tshontshi (Gauteng Provincial Secretary) at 0636851938 or email: mzikayise@nehawu.org.za or
Thulisile Msimang (Gauteng Provincial Deputy Secretary) at 0721748062 or email: tmsimang@dtps.gov.za
Visit https://www.nehawu.org.za