04 Apr 2017

Following the recent floods, the Ministry of Health and Wellness has sent a high level technical team to Gweta and Zoroga to assist in preparedness and response to anticipated flood related conditions including diarrhoea and malaria.

Assistant Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Phillip Makgalemele told Parliament on Monday, that the team consisted of a public health specialist in disease control, public health specialist in child health and chief health officer who are to assess the level of flooding in the area.

Mr Makgalemele noted that the team found that Tutume District Health Management Team was on high alert, and had activated its emergency preparedness and response team to lead the response to any emergencies.

Mr Makgalemele further stated that the Health and Safety Committee has mounted a strong social mobilisation and health education initiative in all health facilities and in communities including at kgotla meetings in Gweta.

He also mentioned that the committee also undertakes daily risk assessment and advice on interventions to mitigate possible outbreaks with the view to prevention.

In addition, Mr Makgalemele mentioned that the Health and Safety Committee has been responsible for distributing nets across the affected areas and motivating for their correct usage by communities to prevent malaria.

The assistant minister also said there are adequate quantities of low osmolarity oral rehydration salts and zinc sulphate used to treat diarrhoea in the under-fives in the local health facilities.

Furthermore, he said the oral rehydration salt (ORS) and Zinc are given to children coming for child welfare clinic (CWC).

He further said that intravenous fluids and intravenous lines are also available for management of severe dehydration.

Mr Makgalemele also pointed out that most of the drugs for treatment of malarial and the malaria test kits were available in adequate amounts adding that all relevant under five vaccines were available.

Member of Parliament for Nata–Gweta, Mr Polson Majaga had asked the minister to state the level of preparedness against the unfolding grave health crisis surrounding Nata-Gweta especially at Gweta Primary Hospital and Local Health Post.

MP Majaga had wanted to know whether there are any plans to swiftly institute a sensitization / awareness programme/strategy in Gweta, to sensitise the community in order to respond to the anticipated health hazard effectively.

He also enquired whether the local health facilities in Gweta and surrounding facilities have enough drugs/ vaccines to be delivered to potential victims. ENDS