Tanzania spends 9 mln USD in fighting cholera

Tanzania has spent over 9 million U.S. dollars in fighting cholera which erupted in the east African nation in August last year, senior official said Monday.

Tanzania's Minister for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children Ummy Mwalimu said in the country's capital, Dodoma that 338 people died out of 21,634 individuals who contracted Cholera between August 15 last year and May this year.

She said despite government efforts to combat the epidemic, the disease has continue to break out in various parts of the country with unavailability of clean and safe drinking water being the cause of the problem.

She called upon the public to remain vigilant by taking precautionary measures, including washing hands with clean water and soap after visiting toilets, drinking boiled water, washing fruits before eating and eating food prepared in hygienic environment.

The minister said that only two regions of Ruvuma and Njombe have so far been safe from the scourge as they have not reported a single case.

She expressed hope of completely winning the war against the epidemic by the end of this month. According to the minister, March was the month that recorded the highest number within the period stated.

She said every individual must play their part in combating the disease. According to the minister, a total of 2,653 patients were recorded in March while in April a total of 1,024 were recorded. In May a total of 524 were reported.

Regions currently with Cholera patients are Morogoro, Mwanza, Mara, Lindi and Manyara. Endit