​The Gauteng Department of Social Development will continue to provide social services to families that lost their loved ones as a result of cholera in Hammanskraal, North of Pretoria
According to the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) twenty-three people have lost their lives since the cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal. Meanwhile, as of 27 May 2023, 77 patients were still admitted for the waterborne disease.
"It is worth noting that 29 patients have since recovered and were discharged," the department said. It added that 229 patients have been seen at the Jubilee District Hospital since 15 May 2023, including 23 who have been transferred to other Tshwane-based hospitals.
"In the past few days, fewer patients have presented at the health facilities with symptoms of diarrhea disease." As part of efforts to manage diarrhea disease, government has set up a field hospital in Kanana. The six temporary tents have been set up to immediately attend to people presenting with symptoms of dehydration, as vomiting and diarrhea eliminate water from the body.
In this temporary hospital, the department said patients are given either oral hydration or intravenous hydration on the spot and the most critical patients are immediately taken to hospitals in Tshwane for further management and admission.
"The GDoH continues to urge people to ensure proper hand hygiene, which includes thorough washing of hands with water and soap or alcohol-based sanitiser before handling food and after using the toilet."
The public is advised to report to their nearest health facilities when they present with diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and dehydration symptoms. "It is also critical that the public avoid consuming known or suspected contaminated food and water."
On the other hand, the Gauteng Department of Social Development is working with the families of the deceased to apply for foster care grants in instances where children lost parents because of cholera. The Department also provides psychosocial services and in some cases orphaned youth due to this outbreak will be linked to skills development programs.