Francis Phiri, Clinical Officer at Ndirande Clinic in Blantyre, Malawi, has written about treating a recent outbreak of cholera in his clinic area. Ndirande Clinic is twinned with Stockbridge Blue Practice in Edinburgh, Scotland. For much of December, Francis was away on Relief Duties in outlying areas of the clinic catchment area. Ndirande is a very busy clinic in a bustling township of Blantyre.
It seems that we’re now hit by Cholera. Of late we’ve had several diarrhoea cases; befitting the Cholera case definition. We didnt have transport for specimens, so all remain uncomfirmed cases.
There has also been an acute increase in OPD attendance.We’re registering around 600 patients a day – this has been very streneous for all the staff and there has been no rest!
My New Year Regards to everyone,
Francis
Cholera can cause severe diarrhoea and vomiting which can quickly lead to severe dehydration, and can be fatal. It is spread through contaminated food (especially shellfish) and water, and so is more common during floods and rainy seasons. The rainy season in Malawi is November – March.
Cholera has been eradicated in the United Kingdom but healthcare professionals in Scotland have reported an increase in the prevalence of MRSA infections and the ‘winter vomitting’ bug. Both can be caused by poor hygiene standards and are thought to be related to the over-use of antibiotics. There are a lot of reports in the Scottish press at the moment about poor standards of hygiene in hospitals.
cholera tent erected at Zingwangwa Clinic in 2006
Filed under: Ndirande
