KICKING CHOLERA OUT!
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A recent cholera outbreak in my region of Uganda prompts me to write this story as a reminder of the the misery cholera causes — and the causes of cholera -- as well as to report, with pride, on the actions and fortitude of fellow Ugandans who are working to prevent re-occurrence and to strengthen our region to be healthier overall.
As the United Nations celebrates ‘World Toilet Day’ on November 19, every year — with this year’s theme ‘A Time for Action’ — it is clear that this message means much to us ‘at the grassroots’ of this continuing challenge to global health. Of course, this outbreak is directly related to UN Sustainable Development Goal # 6 — Clean Water and Sanitation. But it is also connected to SDG # 3 – Health & Well-Being. And —because clean water costs more than the poorest can afford — SDG # 1 — Poverty is related — as is SDG # 11 — Sustainable Cities & Communities — because improved toilet facilities are still needed.
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On September 26th, 2017, a grouping of 30 cholera patients arrived at the Bwera Hospital where I work — in the Kasese District of southwestern Uganda, on the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Five people died, before the outbreak could be contained.
To discover more details, I went to the Bwera Hospital and found one nurse on duty — in an area of isolation set-up to keep the infection contained. I asked him about the number of cases so far, since the first day. He reported that 182 people had been admitted, 173 discharged while three who had died, there.
To discover more details, I went to the Bwera Hospital and found one nurse on duty — in an area of isolation set-up to keep the infection contained. I asked him about the number of cases so far, since the first day. He reported that 182 people had been admitted, 173 discharged while three who had died, there.
After all this, Uganda Red Cross Society and UNICEF and the World Health Organization came to intervene and health workers went 'to the ground' — into the community — to sensitize people about how to improve sanitation, use safe water only and report any suspected cases to the nearest health facility.
Next: Taking Community Action!
“Health workers went 'to the ground' to sensitize people about how to improve sanitation and use clean water..... This activity is paramount for this area — just at the right time — where everyone needs it now!”
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Looking to address this need with local action, the nearby Mpondwe lhubiriha Town Council (MLTC) activated a community response team called the ‘TRUE ROOTS Association’ — to establish improved cleanliness in the MLTC and ‘Kick Cholera Out!’
Their joint effort removed cabbages on street and garbage from ditches, cleaned toilets for people and sensitized the community to safe water and sanitation lessons. The Lord Mayor of the Town Council was joined in these efforts. This activity is paramount for this area — just at a right time — where every one needs it now! Photos of their cleaning activities are included here, at the left and below. 
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About the Author: Mr. Bwambale Fauza has served a leading Ugandan Registered Nurse serving as Regional Coordinator over five District Health Services in the southwest mountainous region of the country, on the borders with the DRC (Democratic Republic of the Congo) and Rwanda. His responsibilities included health care administrative oversight and medication delivery audits for nine Health Care Service Facilities serving a primarily Muslim population of 3 million people (6 million in the region) with an ongoing administrative schedule of motorbike visits over rural roads to each Facility. He is proficient in four languages, English, Swahili, Lukinzo and Luganda. Mr. Fauza holds a Diploma in Nursing obtained at the Kagando School of Nursing and Midwifery in 2008. He has also completed short courses in STDs, HIV-AIDS, malaria prevention, care support and communication, as well as Guidance & Child Counseling and Home Nursing Care and related support. Previously he was employed by the Kasese District Local Government and was posted at the private health centre Mpondwe Muslim Health Centre since 2009. In 2019, he moved to Canada to establish a new life for his family. He currently serves as a Primary Support Worker and aims to achieve his Canadian Registered Nursing Bachelor's Degree in able to return to sharing his full nursing knowledge and many skills to the Canadian healthcare system.
Image Credits: TOP IMAGE: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/travel/a30170475/uganda-why-you-need-to-visit-the-garden-of-africa/
ABOVE: SDG Logo #s 6, 3, 1 and 11 used with UN Guidelines. Photo of Mr. Fauza from his archives, used with permission. BELOW: 'Kick Cholera Out' activities provided by Bwambale Fauza through the TRUE ROOTS Association and the Mpondwe lhubiriha Town Council, used with permission.