The Cholera Epidemic in Zimbabwe, 2008–2009: A Review and Critique of the Evidence
on JULY 14, 2017 · in PAPERS IN PRESS
C. Nicholas Cuneo, Richard Sollom, and Chris Beyrer Abstract
The 2008–2009 Zimbabwe cholera epidemic resulted in 98,585 reported cases and caused more than 4,000 deaths. In this study, we used a mixed-methods approach that combined primary qualitative data from a 2008 Physicians for Human Rights-led investigation with a systematic review and content analysis of the scientific literature. Our initial investigation included semi-structured interviews of 92 key informants, which we supplemented with reviews of the social science and human rights literature, as well as international news reports. Our systematic review of the scientific literature retrieved 59 unique citations, of which 30 met criteria for inclusion in the content analysis: 14 of the 30 (46.7%) articles mentioned the political dimension of the epidemic, while 7 (23.3%) referenced Mugabe or his political party (ZANU-PF). Our investigation revealed that the 2008–2009 Zimbabwean cholera epidemic was exacerbated by a series of human rights abuses, including the politicization of water, health care, aid, and information. The failure of the scientific community to directly address the political determinants of the epidemic exposes challenges to maintaining scientific integrity in the setting of humanitarian responses to complex health and human rights crises. While the period of the cholera epidemic and the health care system collapse is now nearly a decade in the past, the findings of this work remain highly relevant for Zimbabwe and other countries, as complex health and rights interactions remain widespread, and governance concerns continue to limit improvements in human health.
and then we skip forward....
Cholera outbreak stalks Zimbabwe
11 January 2017 - 09:21BY NHLALO NDABA
The Zimbabwean government has appealed to the public and churches for funding as the country battles to contain a typhoid outbreak in Harare.
Cholera bacteria. File photo.
Image: Gallo Images/Thinkstock
There have been 250 cases of the disease reported and nine deaths confirmed since January 1.
According to government officials, 76% of the cases are in Harare, the capital.
"We are appealing to churches and the corporate world to contribute to rubbish collection. The conditions on the ground can lead to a cholera outbreak at any time," said Health Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa.
Zimbabwe's health sector was allocated only $208-million (about R3.5-billion) in the last national budget.
As part of measures to arrest the situation the government has banned the sale of foods on the streets countrywide.
Zimbabwe is still feeling the effects of the 2008 cholera outbreak, which was declared a national emergency when cholera spread across the country, claiming 4369 lives.
