Bulawayo runs out of mosquito control chemicals

News
BY PATRICIA SIBANDA INADEQUATE supply of chemicals has hampered Bulawayo City Council (BCC)’s efforts to fight mosquitoes. The matter was discussed at the latest full council meeting, with the director of health services Edwin Sibanda reporting that the council had inadequate chemicals to control mosquitoes. “The section has continued with clearing of tall grass and […]

BY PATRICIA SIBANDA

INADEQUATE supply of chemicals has hampered Bulawayo City Council (BCC)’s efforts to fight mosquitoes.

The matter was discussed at the latest full council meeting, with the director of health services Edwin Sibanda reporting that the council had inadequate chemicals to control mosquitoes.

“The section has continued with clearing of tall grass and bushes at Thorngrove Hospital. Mosquito control has continued to be hampered by the non-availability of chemicals,” he said.

“Eleven requisitions had been received for control of rodents, roaches, white ants and mosquitoes, while seven of these requisitions were attended to, for the control of roaches and rodents at Thorngrove Sewage, mechanical workshop, Mzilikazi Clinic, Luveve Clinic, Luveve and Waterford and Magwegwe ponds.”

The minutes show that the section also managed to capacitate several groups namely Moslem Society, Registrar-General’s Office and Mzilikazi COVID-19 taskforce on infection prevention and control targeting COVID-19 overview, PPEs, disinfection and spraying techniques.

“The section also monitored 17 burials during the month under review.

“Disinfection of corpses and parlours was done using sodium hypochlorite 5% while for households and commercial properties, hydrogen peroxide 3% was used,” read the minutes.

Not long ago, the Bulawayo City Council was looking at other options of destroying mosquito-breeding spaces in the city after abandoning the idea of hiring a forking machine for US$15 000.