(Last Updated on September 26, 2022 by ZIMDAILY EDITOR)
BUHERA – Sixty-three percent of Buhera villagers are still hung to the tradition of defecating in the open thereby creating a big risk of transmittable diseases, Buhera Residents Network Trust has said.
The Trust told Chipinge Times that this concern is contained in a report made by the Civil Protection Unit. Open defecation is also widely practiced even at Murambinda Growth Point which was recently accorded town status, said the report.
The Civil Protection Committee comprises of key stakeholders that include line ministries and is headed by the District Development Co-ordinator under the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works.
“The Civil Protection Committee revealed that the sanitation level in Buhera district stands at 38 percent and this is unacceptable considering our incapacitation history to deal with water borne diseases,” said Mabasa.
He said that deliberations at the district risk reduction community engagement indaba held on August 24, 2022 show that 63 percent were traditionally practicing open defecation against modern trends of using toilets and safer methods.
“The situation is out of hand and the health ministry and other key stakeholders must activate education and awareness on the dangers of open defecation” Mabasa said.
Buhera Civil Protection Committee chairperson Freeman Mavhiza referred questions to the district Chairperson of Water and Sanitation Subcommittee …….. Munemo who could not be reachable for comment at the time of going to print.