Nts'ekhe Hospital investigates fears of a diarrhoea outbreak

The Mohale's Hoek Department of Public Health will undertake an Integrated Disease Surveillance and
Response (IDSR) study of eleven health centres in the district, the Public Health Nurse at the Nts'ekhe government hospital, Ms. Palesa Matete has announced.

The study aims at assessing the prevalence of a diarrhoea outbreak at each of the clinics, comparing reported cases this 2003/2004 festive as against the last, Ms Matete said, indicating that reports are already being
received from villages concerning the disease.

It will be a follow up to various preventive measures that were taken in various villages before the start of the festive season " including awareness on the importance of practicing proper sanitation and hygiene through the cleaning and protection of water sources and construction of latrines and water supply systems," she said.

The findings would determine those villages mostly affected by diarrhoea so that immediate response could be taken.

The surveillance starts on January 8 at Ha Ts'epo and Mpharane health clinics, continuing at Liphiring, Mohalinyane, Morifi, Mootsinyane, Lithipeng, Holy Cross, Bethel, Phamong and Ketane until January 27, Ms. Matete said.
 

07 January 2004