The situation was dire that 124 diarrhoea cases were registered in a single week, although the situation has improved with latest figures sitting at 57. Addressing councillors this week, GDC chairperson, Thabiso Kebadirile said while there was a decline, with 57 cases last week, this figure remains more than double what was recorded during the same period last year. He said the district reported a mortality during the outbreak with the loss of one child under the age of five. “Tragically, we lost one child under five to diarrhoea,” Kebadirile informed the meeting. According to the chairperson, the World Breastfeeding Week was commemorated during the first week of August. The event was held in partnership with Botswana Red Cross and UNICEF Botswana, while community activities were conducted at SHHA Health Post on August 28, 2026. Kebadirile added that the District Health Management Team has intensified community health education through kgotla meetings, schools and other platforms.
“Health care workers have undergone refresher training and an emergency order for rotavirus vaccines has been placed. “Medicines and commodities are available, while environmental health officers have conducted water sampling,” he told the GDC sitting. The Council Chairperson stated that Water Utilities Corporation continues to support communities with education on safe handling and storage of drinking water. Additionally, he advised councillors to seek medical care early when children develop diarrhoea or other signs of illness. Kebadirile noted that caregivers should also use ORS and Zinc as advised by health care workers. On malaria cases, he said the rainy season also increases the risk of the spread of the infectious disease.
