Cholera: DA wants long term solution

2001-01-09 22:17

Johannesburg - The Democratic Alliance on Tuesday called for focus on long term plans concerning cholera prevention.

DA health spokesperson Mike Ellis said his party noted the World Health Organisation's praise of South Africa's efforts to manage the cholera epidemic.

He said applause from the world authority suggested that South Africa had taken the right steps.

However, the DA was concerned that the Health Department's short term measures to manage the epidemic were not addressing the underlying cause, namely affordable water.

He said the spread of the epidemic to Gauteng indicated that control measures had not been successful.

Although emergency measures to bring fresh water to affected areas had been put in place, these were strictly temporary and there was no evidence of long term planning.

"This means that the problems are likely to be repeated when the rainy season arrives again."

Ellis said there had been no sign of a plan of action from the government to ensure that communities affected by cholera would get access to clean water on a sustainable basis.

He said anti-cholera efforts need to be combined with Aids prevention campaigns to ensure the long term health of the communities affected, not just their short term health. - Sapa

- SAPA