Dear Jaluo,
I thank you for giving us a forum to be able to discuss issues that affect our lives in a customised way.
My concern is on the cholera menace currently ravaging the city of Kisumu residents especially those from the informal settlement areas (Nyalenda, Manyatta, Migosi, Bandani, Obunga, Nyamasaria)Kibos and Kisian due to consumption of contaminated water-Mainly the shallow wells.
Cholera is further spread by carriers who come from the above localities selling cheap food in the estates, unhygienic kiosks and streets of Kisumu.
The epidemic has been on and off since mid 2007 and exacerbated by rains washing the ground contamination into the water sources of the above mentioned residents.
As the medical Officer in charge of Kisumu Municipality doing the ‘fire-fighting’ aspect of cholera control in conjuntion with the ministry of health and partners, we are interested in a long term plan to curb the problem once and for all.
In the cholera control team we have realised that the problem is one that requires multi-sectoral approach with serious input from all concerned stakeholders(public and private) for it to end.
The support so far received has been from Ministry of Public Health & Sanitation, Ministry of Medeical Services, Kisumu Municipality, UNICEF, CARE(K), World Vision, Red Cross, District Commissioner, KIWASCO, Lake Victoria South Water Services Board, among others. However, new cases keep coming up with 4 reported deaths since June this year. These are unnecessary deaths coming late for treatment and the situation remains unpredictable.
A committee has been established by the Ministry of Public Health and sanitation to see to it that this menace comes to an end and the above mentioned partners are participating well. Currently the head of this team is the provincial Medical Officer and the chair of the committee is myself.
I’m making an unconditional appeal for support to any organisation or individual for a detailed situation analysis that will come out with recommendations and way forward to jump start strategies for water and sanitation, poverty eradication and the necessary city planning mechanisms geared towards better conditions of living for the residents of this city and its environs
May God bless you all.
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Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:24:53 -0400
From: “Dr. Rosemary Obara”
Subject: Situation Analysis on the current cholera menace
It is my submission that devolved funds be channeled towards interventions that are geared towards enhancing access to safe water, especially for communities residing in the informal settlements.
Deliberate efforts be made to sensitize the communities to facilitate prioritization of interventions for safe water and sanitation within their areas
The many NGOs within the city be prevailed upon to give priority to sustainable interventions that ensure access to safe water and improved sanitation, especially within the slums. This can be spearheaded by the office of the Medical Officer of Health, through a health stakeholders forum.
These are some of the proposals that in my opinion could quickly start addressing this perennial outbreak, which if left unabated may adversely impact on our quest to woo invetors and restore that almost lost glory of the Kisumu