IMPROVEMENTS BUT STILL CHALLENGES REGARDING CHOLERA
by Chris Khumalo, BuaNews, 13 July 2006
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A research study conducted by the Human Science Research Council (HSRC) on corrective measures taken since the outbreak of cholera in KwaZulu-Natal in 2000/2001 has found that while provision of water services has advanced, the previously infected communities still remain vulnerable to the water-borne disease.
The authors of the report say the provision of free water services has been uneven with water quality and conditions of health and hygiene requiring constant surveillance.
An HSRC team, led by Dr David Hemson, conducted surveys and ethnographic research into social conditions prevailing at the time of the epidemic and measured subsequent changes at two sites in KwaZulu-Natal near the epicentre of the illness.
The study, commissioned by the Municipal Services Project, confirmed earlier linkages between the outbreak of cholera and introduction of cost- recovery on potable water, indifferent management of water supply system leading to interruptions in supply and vandalism of the water supply system.
This report was launched in Durban by HSRC team led by Dr Hemson.
It involved two research sites - one at Nqutshini - a small settlement outside eMpangeni on the banks of Umhlathuzi River and Nkobongo, a developing low-cost housing area but still characterized by informal settlement near Balito, 40 km north of Durban .
The research noted that while both communities were poor and thus generally vulnerable to cholera, the disease was found to be associated with households at the lowest levels of income.
"Apart from poverty itself an important additional factor associated with cholera was found to be increased water storage. This storage of water is partly related to dysfunctional water supplies. Faced with uncertain water supply people tend to store water which leads to an increased health risk," said Dr Hemson.
With regard to Nkobongo, the study said the privatisation of water services in 2000 under Siza Water meant an end to free water services on the borders of this settlement and this meant that this poor community had to pay for water through the system of prepaid meter
This was expensive for the mostly unemployed members of the community.
The report concluded that the policy of Free Basic Water was unevenly implemented and greater care had to be given to ensure that the rural poor and those in poor peri-urban communities who need it the most benefited.
Dr Hemsom said these vulnerable communities also needed an efficient water service with low levels of interruption.
"This will require better municipal services with greater accountability and responsiveness to community needs likely to be achieved through public participaltion", he said.
The report also warned that those communities and families that had previously experienced water related disease appeared to be particularly vulnerable to recurrence.
"The cholera epidemic has passed but the problems of access, improved management and water quality remain."