Zimbabwe collaborates with WHO to refine cholera outbreak response

ZIMBABWE—Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), with help from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF, performed an Intra Action Review (IAR) of the country’s existing cholera response from June 3–7, 2024.

This review provided a platform for key responders to collaboratively assess strategies, share experiences, identify challenges, and recognize successful actions.

The insights gathered from this review will be used to refine program decisions and enhance the effectiveness of outbreak control measures.

The country-led review brought together key stakeholders, decision-makers, and implementing partners, including experts from technical agencies such as Africa CDC, IFRC, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), UNICEF, World Vision, and WHO.

MoHCC Cholera Incident Manager Dr. Isaac Phiri highlighted the review as a crucial stock-taking opportunity to accelerate efforts in controlling the outbreak, especially as the country is currently experiencing a decline in cholera cases.

The review was conducted through a combination of presentations, group work, and plenary sessions covering various pillars such as Coordination, Risk Communication and Community Engagement, Laboratory, Surveillance, Operational Support and Logistics, and Case management.

Several challenges were highlighted, including insufficient public health structures, particularly in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), which are essential for effectively containing the spread of cholera.

Additionally, delays in the last-mile distribution of cholera supplies and commodities were noted, hindering the response efforts.

Inconsistencies and limitations in communication strategies also impacted public awareness and community engagement in some areas.

Despite these challenges, the review identified several successes. The activation of the incident management system was recognized as a key strength, facilitating improved coordination of the response, including resource tracking.

The robust case management system, with trained personnel, effectively treated cholera patients. The surveillance system’s good practices enabled timely detection and tracking of cholera cases.

Furthermore, engaging interfaith leaders improved community engagement activities on cholera prevention, with traditional leaders playing a crucial role in mobilizing communities.

WHO Member States at the May 2020 World Health Assembly recommended periodic IARs of health responses to emergencies like COVID-19, which has been extended to other emergencies, including cholera outbreaks.

WHO has supported MoHCC since the beginning of the outbreak in February 2023 by providing up-to-date guidelines on best practices for cholera prevention, control, and treatment.

This support includes essential cholera supplies such as oral cholera vaccines, rehydration solutions, and diagnostic tests, as well as deploying technical experts to assist national and local authorities in outbreak response activities and advocating for increased funding and resources for cholera control efforts.

Dr. Phiri emphasized the importance of the IAR for restrategizing the response and aiming to curb the outbreak within the next six weeks. He expressed gratitude to WHO and all partners for providing the critical technical support needed in such situations.

John Mwenda, a Medical Research Officer from the National Institute of Health Research, described the IAR as a valuable platform for sharing information and good practices essential to accelerating response efforts and ending the outbreak.

Dr. Sally-Ann Ohene concluded by noting the IAR’s success and highlighting priority actions based on the identified challenges.

WHO and its partners are committed to supporting MoHCC and subnational stakeholders in implementing the recommendations to bridge gaps and contain the outbreak.

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