Africa-Press – Botswana. Botswana health authorities announced that diarrhoea situation was at the moment under control as fewer cases have reported for the past three weeks.
In an interview, the Ministry of Health spokesperson, Dr Christopher Nyanga, however said cases were still being reported across all the District Health Management Teams (DHMT).
Dr Nyanga said Botswana had been experiencing a surge in diarrhoea cases since the beginning of the year. However, he said an increase in cases started in August.
“The country recorded close to 300 cases per week, for the past two months, most of these cases were mild, seen and discharged home,” he said. He added that around the same time an average of three deaths per week was recorded.
He said all district have been affected, citing Okavango, North West, Bobirwa and Tutume were some of the most affected.
Dr Nyanga said the ministry implemented a range of measures to address and manage the ongoing diarrhoea outbreaks, with a focus on both healthcare facility responses and community-level interventions.
He said those measures were aimed at reducing the prevalence of diarrhoea and preventing fatalities, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children under five, among them he mentioned that since the peak of diarrhoea cases, Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) have been deployed to various districts to contain the situation and provide immediate assistance.
Further, he said the teams were crucial for early detection, timely intervention and the prevention of further spread.
He also said at health facilities, several measures have been put in place to improve the management of diarrhoea cases, adding that there was sensitisation of healthcare workers, saying medical staff have been trained to manage diarrhoea cases according to the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) protocols.
He said that ensures that all cases were treated with best practices, reducing complications and fatalities, particularly among children.
Moreover, Dr Nyanga said availability of Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS) and Zinc Sulphate has been intensified, adding that “health facilities have been adequately stocked with ORS and Zinc Sulphate, essential for the management of diarrhoea.”
He said the supplies were critical for rehydration and reducing the duration and severity of diarrhoea.
He said the enhanced distribution of ORS and Zinc Sulphate, in addition to ensuring adequate stocks at health facilities, the distribution of ORS and Zinc to caregivers has been intensified.
He further said caregivers were trained to administer those treatments as soon as diarrhoea symptoms appear, while simultaneously seeking medical attention at health facilities.
Additionally he said, there was capacity building for health education personnel, saying that health education assistants and officers have been trained and mobilised to reach communities with key messages on diarrhoea prevention and management.
“Their role is vital in disseminating information and ensuring that caregivers are equipped with the knowledge to manage diarrhoea at home,” Dr Nyanga said.
At community level, Dr Nyanga urged citizens to maintain high standards of hygiene, preventive behaviours, and early health-seeking practices.
He said it was important to have good hygiene, particularly hand washing with soap and water after using the toilet, as well as boiling water before consumption, adding that those practices were essential to prevent diarrhoea, especially in areas with poor sanitation.
Threfore, he encouraged caregivers to monitor children closely and seek early medical attention if diarrhoea was observed.
He advised that parents should always be quick to visit the nearest health facility when their children show symptoms or were unwell.
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