Tonkolili DHMT Averts Cholera Mortality
Tonkolili, Feb. 15, 07 ( MOHS) – The Tonkolili District Health Management Team in collaboration with MSF Holland have successfully treated over 190 cases of Watery Diarrhea and Vomiting described to be “suspected cases of cholera” at the Magburaka Government hospital with only two deaths due to late arrival.
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| From Right:District Medical Officer Tonkolili, Dr. Alie Wurie and Dr. Susan Reveira of MSF Holland Smile Over Improvement. |
The suspected cases mostly within Magburaka town and its immediate environs in the Kholifa Rowala Chiefdom affects about 30 towns and villages including Magbas in the Tonkolili district, and Rogberay , Masati and Massabah in the Bombalili district .
According to the District Medical Officer Tonkolili, and the MSF Medical Officer, Dr.Susan Reveira, the two fatal cases encountered arrived very late in a dehydrated condition and died few minutes later after frantic efforts to save their lives.
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| Dr. Susan Reveira ( MSF Holland) Talking to a Patient |
In an interview with the Public Relations Officer, Jonathan Abass Kamara during a visit to the erected isolated wards in the Magburaka hospital compound, it was revealed that the outbreak was as a result of poor sources of drinking water as most people drink from the Rokel river and other outlets. .The Magbass Sugar Complex Sewage System running into the river source was also disclosed to be another major source for the contamination of the water the people use for domestic purposes. About a good number of the Magbas workers are said to be infected.
According to the District Medical Officer, Dr. Wurie, concerns have been raised by the District Health Management Team for the Chinese to promptly address the situation as their sewage system is not sanitarily managed.
Dr. Wurie disclosed that there are sporadic cases within Magburaka and its environs with a high incidence in the Magbass community .
“The lack of treated pipe borne water in the township is also not unconnected with the problem “, Dr. Wurie told the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry during his media tour.
Chlorination of water wells by the District Health Management Team is on going, along side sensitization by the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society Tonkolili branch, in all towns and villages in the Kholifa Rowala Chiefdom.
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| Volunteers of the Sierra Leone Red Society Sensitising Affected and Non Affected Communities on Cholera Prevention and Treatment |
At the isolated treatment center IV Fluids, antibiotics and other medications are been administered to drastically reduce the incidence.
The erected tents are described as Observation, Moderate and Severe cases wards where patients are treated and admitted in the event of the seriousness of the case.
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| Dr. Susan ReveiraTalking to the PRO Health Ministry Jonathan Abass Kamara in one of the Tents |
The Magburoka community interviewed by the Public Relations Officer, Mr. Jonathan Abass Kamara described the case management by the Nursing team and Doctors as effective and very good, as dehydration is recognized quickly and attended to promptly free of charge.
The community lauded the efforts of both the District Management Team and MSF Holland for the effective treatment and rapid reduction of admission cases in the wards.
The outbreak was noticed on the 6th January 2007.According to the District Medical Officer, Dr. Alie Wurie.
Towns and villages affected include Magburaka , Makeni-Lol , Makaloh Magbas Makari- Kabia, Makaprie , Mabum, ,Masoko , Mabone,Masobinta , Mafumba, Magbonto, Magbesseh, Mamuta, Rotchen ,Masegble, Masampa, Robiz and Tongbai.
Meanwhile, samples of stool collected have been sent to Freetown to establish whether it is cholera.
