By Lungile Ntimba
Limpopo health MEC Dieketseng Mashego had led a health screening and testing initiative for learners at Thabina Primary School in Ga-Rakoma following a hike in bilharzia cases in the province.
The first outbreak recorded was from 142 learners at the Malwandla Primary School in Petanenge village.
Other cases were also reported in areas including Nkowankowa township, and Khujwana and Dan villages.
Wednesday’s visit comes after a rise in the number of confirmed cases to 155 in the Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality.
Limpopo acting premier Basikopo Makamu confirmed that the government had already set up a task team to coordinate efforts to tackle the outbreak, provide medical care to affected individuals and prevent a further spread of the disease.
“We urge all residents in the affected areas to exercise extreme caution, avoid direct contact with potentially contaminated water sources and seek medical attention if symptoms arise,” Makamu said.
While addressing learners and community stakeholders at the school, the MEC also stressed the importance of health screenings, prevention and education.
“We are working with the local water service authorities to conduct water quality tests as one way of preventing the disease because as much as screening, testing and treatment is important, it is even more important to work towards prevention,” Mashego said.
She added that the screening campaign would be extend to other villages and schools in the region to ensure learners received any necessary treatment.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has criticised the provincial government for being incompetent and negligent.
DA Limpopo health spokesperson Lindy Wilson said that the government’s intervention of forming a provincial task team was a little too late.
“This negligence by municipalities coupled by their failure to provide safe potable water has led to water systems that are badly polluted and a danger to communities,” Wilson said.
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