GOVERNMENT has declared the country cholera-free after failing to document a case in the last 30 days.
Speaking during post-Cabinet briefing, Information minister Jenfan Muswere, however, urged Zimbabweans to continue practising hygiene.
“The Minister of Health and Child Care would like to advise the nation that the country has not witnessed any case of cholera in the past 30 days,” he said.
“This means that the country is now free from cholera. However, the public is encouraged to continue observing hygiene and sanitation at all times.”
As of June, a total of 31 705 cholera cases and 683 deaths had been reported from 63 districts across the 10 provinces.
Of the cumulative cholera cases, approximately 31% are children aged below 15 years, and 14% are children under five years.
In January, the Health and Child Care ministry introduced a cholera vaccine to prevent further spread of the disease.
Meanwhile, Muswere has said government is embarking on a programme to ensure that unutilised factory shells and other industrial infrastructure are put to use.
“The manufacturing sector has the greatest multiplier effect in terms of employment through the creation of downstream jobs.
"In order to foster growth opportunities in the manufacturing sector, the Government is in support of import substitution and is targeting local production as well as supporting investments in the sector.”
Muswere said Cabinet considered and approved Zimbabwe’s National Climate Change Adaptation Plan: 2024-30 which would enhance the country’s capacity and effectiveness to plan, integrate, implement, monitor and evaluate adaptation plans and programmes for climate change and would be the anchor document for the development of sectoral plans.
“The plan also includes incentives such as duty waivers on the localisation of electric vehicle manufacturing. The incentives and duty waiver will also apply to local production and/or importation of equipment and gadgets used in mitigating the effects of climate change."
Muswere also said grain distribution in response to the drought was progressing well in most districts with grain stocks being replenished at Grain Marketing Board depots which would have experienced diminished stocks.
“Meanwhile registration of beneficiaries is expected to be complete by the end of July 2024, paving way for the commencement of cash disbursements in August 2024.
“Government has approved its Final Implementation Plan as well as the plans for the Replica Partners, World Food Programme and the Start Network in line with the requirements of the tripartite memorandum of understanding signed between the three parties.”