Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. RESIDENTS of Harare’s Glen View 3 are grappling with a public health crisis as flowing sewage has created breeding ground for communicable diseases like cholera, dysentery and typhoid.
Combined Harare Residents Association secretary for ward 3, Joyleen Nyachuru, expressed grave concern over the crisis’ impact on the health of the community.
“Some children are now suffering from diarrhoea, suspectedly from the sewage overflow and instead of addressing the sewage issues, city council workers are focusing on unnecessary areas,” she said.
Because of blocked sewers resulting in untreated sewage overflowing, residents have resorted to open defecation with some using containers and disposing of the human waste on open spaces, exacerbating health risks in the area.
“It’s a real crisis in Glen View 3 and the local authority must act now,” a resident, Beauty Chitate, said in an interview.
Local councillor Gaudencia Marira acknowledged the severity of the crisis.
“We are working to allocate resources to address these issues, but we need the community’s co-operation to yield effective solutions,” she said in an interview.
However, her assurances do little to alleviate the anxiety among residents, who feel neglected and frustrated given the slow response from city officials.
“The persistence of sewage overflow has not only created a public health crisis, but also led to emotional distress among residents,” Nyachuru said.
“We pay our taxes and expect that services will be provided in return. Instead, we are left to fend for ourselves.”
Glen View has a long-standing history of vulnerability to communicable diseases due to poor sanitation and inadequate waste management.
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