SIMIYU: MEATU residents have been given a seven-day ultimatum to improve the hygiene of their toilets in efforts to combat the outbreak of cholera in the area.
The ultimatum was given recently through resolutions reached during the Primary Health Committee meeting held in the district, led by Shinyanga Regional Administrative Secretary, Ms Prisca Kayombo and attended by Director of Preventive Services from the Ministry of Health, Dr Ntuli Kapologwe, the District Health Committee, Councillors, Ward, Village and Religious leaders.
The meeting approved seven resolutions aimed at controlling the outbreak of cholera, which has been occurring frequently in the district.
“Every household must have a toilet, and after seven days, by August 26, this year, those found without a proper toilet will face the consequences,” said Ms Kayombo.
She also instructed Meatu District Executive Director to oversee implementation of the order and provide a report detailing the number of households which have built or upgraded their toilets.
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One of the resolutions is to ensure that health regulations are followed, including the construction of proper toilets within seven days, by August 26, 2024.
The meeting also approved a resolution for health education on the importance of drinking boiled water or water treated with purification tablets (AquaTabs). Leaders are required to oversee the educational efforts, addressing the community’s fears and misconceptions about treated water.
Other resolutions include having experts conduct regular inspections to assess food storage, manage environmental cleanliness, involve community security groups (Sungusungu) in maintaining cleanliness, and provide education to traditional healers so that they can identify symptoms in patients and advise them to seek medical care at hospitals.
Cholera outbreaks have been occurring frequently in the district, with the main causes identified as environmental and water source pollution and households lacking proper toilets.
The government continues its efforts to combat the disease by distributing medication (Aquatabs) and medical supplies in Simiyu Region to control the outbreak.