BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) will be undertaking the Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) coverage survey listing of households exercise from tomorrow (the 14th ) to the 22nd of March 2024.
The listing exercise which aims to establish a comprehensive sampling frame, from which households to be covered in OVC Coverage Survey will be selected, will be conducted in seven provinces.
According to a statement by ZimStat, the listing will be conducted in Harare, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Masvingo and Midlands.
It is said the OCV coverage survey aims to collect data to ascertain the following among others, “cholera prevention and control, oral cholera vaccine coverage rates, knowledge and awareness levels about cholera, the utilization of sanitation facilities and safe water sources.”
The statement further read that “statistics produced from the survey are critical for policy formulation and decision making relating to the following among others; “prevention health interventions, human capital development strategies, macroeconomic planning and social programs targeting cholera prevention.”
It was also added that the survey will be conducted under provisions of the Census and Statistics Act (Chapter 10:29) and that information collected from is strictly confidential and will be issued solely for statistical purposes.
The country launched the OCV campaign on January 29, targeting cholera hotpots in the country and as at March 6, it is reported that 2 121 784 people had received the vaccine.
On Tuesday March 12, the country recorded 127 new suspected cholera cases, one suspected death and two laboratory confirmed death.
And as of March 12, the country had recorded 28 247 cumulative suspected cases, 2 779 cumulative cases, 27 532 recoveries, 71 confirmed deaths and 515 suspected deaths.
