Hugo Slim is a leading scholar in humanitarian studies and a Merlin patron. He recently visited Zimbabwe and gave the following impressions of our response to the cholera epidemic.
Merlin made a great impact on the cholera epidemic earlier this year and is now busy preparing for the next cholera season in October.
Other agencies focused on important treatment centres for extreme cases, while Merlin, in partnership with the NGO German Agro Action, did what it does best. It went straight to the heart of the most affected communities and set up simple, hygienic and highly effective Oral Rehydration Points (ORPs). Sited in small community buildings or clean white tents, these ORPs literally saved people’s lives.
In one ORP at Rujeko, I saw the list of 776 patients who had been admitted. Not one of them died. Many recovered after a day of properly administered rehydration. Extreme cases were taken by a Merlin ambulance to larger treatment centres.
I was particularly pleased to see Merlin doing two things. First, Merlin teams were working effectively in high density urban areas which are an increasing feature of today’s emergencies. Secondly, they were working closely with very frightened communities in the grip of an epidemic, introducing a simple life-saving treatment and convincing people of its effect. People trusted Merlin and it saved their lives.
But visiting these same communities today, it is obvious that the root cause of the epidemic remains. Drains are blocked with raw sewage, water pipes are burst and supply is intermittent. This is why Merlin’s ORP teams are still in place and preparing for a renewed epidemic in October. This one will be even better managed than the last.
Lessons have been learnt during the response. For example, some of the local churches refused treatment on religious grounds. But Merlin staff worked closely with them to persuade them that the rehydration solution is simply made up of salt, sugar and water. In truth, a remarkable life-saving sacrament.
I am extremely impressed by what I saw in Zimbabwe and by the Merlin people that I met. The team’s new plan is to build on their work around cholera and – as always – work systematically with the Ministry of Health to rehabilitate its previously exceptional health service. This approach is spot on.
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