Africa (Commonwealth union) _A field hospital in Kanana, South Africa, is helping to save lives during a cholera outbreak in the Gauteng province. The pandemic has claimed the lives of 23 people and infected hundreds more. Cholera is a potentially lethal bacterial infection that causes dehydration, vomiting, and diarrhoea. It is primarily transmitted by contaminated water or food, and it is more prevalent in places with inadequate sanitation.
The epidemic was notified in the Hammanskraal township near Pretoria, and 34 cases have been confirmed across the country, including one in Limpopo and six in Free State. The cause of the outbreak is yet unknown, although some people have accused the government for failing to provide clean water and effective waste management. In recent years, the City of Tshwane Municipality, which encompasses Pretoria, has endured political instability and corruption scandals.
Gauteng Health has created a field hospital in Kanana, an informal settlement near Hammanskraal, to manage the growing number of diseases and prevent future spread. Patients are evaluated and treated for dehydration and other symptoms in makeshift tents at the field hospital. Patients are given oral or intravenous fluids upon arrival, and those in critical condition are sent to Tshwane hospitals for additional treatment. The community is also given health education and hygiene items by the field hospital.
The national government, the World Health Organization (WHO), and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as Gift of the Givers all support the establishment of the field hospital. These organizations have donated resources to the local hospital and clinics, such as sealed water bottles and other supplies.
The field hospital is an essential component of a complete response plan designed to contain the outbreak. The plan calls for initiatives to improve water quality, increase surveillance and testing, conduct contact tracing and immunization campaigns, and promote public knowledge about preventative measures. Authorities have recommended locals to avoid drinking tap water, to boil or chlorinate drinking water, to wash their hands frequently, and to seek medical assistance if they encounter cholera symptoms.
The field hospital will remain open until the outbreak has been contained. Health officials remain positive as they work with partners and stakeholders to ensure that everyone has access to safe drinking water and great healthcare. Cholera is a global problem that kills millions of people each year, especially in low- and middle-income nations with poor water and sanitation systems. The World Health Organization (WHO) has established a strategy to eradicate cholera by 2030, concentrating on surveillance, water and sanitation improvements, immunization, case management, and community participation.
It is possible to eradicate cholera, save lives, and preserve public health by supporting projects like the field hospital in South Africa and working together globally.
