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When everyone is ready, cholera can be wiped out
2006-03-16 08:41:19
By Editor
Cholera, a killer disease which is contracted when one eats contaminated food or drinks un-boiled water is tightening its grip in Dar es Salaam.
Since last December, cholera camps have not run short of patients, which makes us wonder whether, the city will ever manage to rid itself of this menace.
Earlier on, it was believed that the situation worsened whenever it rained. This time around, the disease has been in our midst even after the city and the entire country experienced severe drought.
We ask the following questions, hoping to get decisive answers.
Has the city of Dar es Salaam totally failed to wipe out cholera? Are the city authorities waiting for someone to issue orders before mounting a serious campaign?
We ask these questions because we are convinced that cholera can be curbed if every city resident played his or her role well. General cleanliness, proper sanitation, boiling drinking water and handling food with utmost care can help curb cholera.
Unfortunately, there are irresponsible people who cannot live in a clean environment, unless forced to do so. They have no problem putting up with filth.
We think it is time municipal officials and health inspectors went out to do field work and make things move. Some residential houses downtown Dar es Salaam do not have toilets. Others do have, but are not up to the required standard.
We understand the plight of low income-earners who may not be well positioned financially, to construct flush toilets, and are thus using pit latrines.
Yet, the authorities should be in a position to educate people on how they can build up-to-date latrines and make use of them.
The campaign to wipe out cholera however, could be interrupted by food vendors, most of whom care much about profits, but not the health of their customers.
Commuter bus stands are all crowded with people cooking and selling food. In Mikocheni industrial area for example, shacks are erected haphazardly to serve as food kiosks.
The areas do not have running water or toilets. Food is sold in the open, and diners share it with flies, amid dust and other filthy particles.
Yet, authorities could chart a plan that does not require the use of forceful evictions, to educate food vendors on health and hygiene.
Some earn enough money, but they do not care to improve the environment in which they are working.
Unless we take bold steps against cholera, we will have to put up with the shame of living in a capital city that does not take cleanliness as a serious health issue.
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