In South Africa, the Ministry of Health has erected field hospitals, notably in Kanana, to stem the epidemic of Cholera that is raging in the country.
In the township of Hammanskraal, near Pretoria, the health department has set up temporary tents to treat residents showing symptoms of dehydration, vomiting, and diarrhea.
“Most of the cases are in the Kanana region. That’s why we set up this field hospital to bring services closer to the people so that when people start experiencing signs and symptoms related to cholera, they can immediately go to the field hospital for treatment…” says Mothomone Pitsi, Tshwane District Officer for the Gauteng Department of Health.
Patients are given oral or intravenous hydration upon arrival, and those in critical condition are transported to hospitals in Tshwane for further care and admission.
“People come here with diarrhea and vomiting. Those with severe diarrhea and severe dehydration are put on drips and sent to the hospital. Those who don’t are treated. We give them salts oral rehydration, then we watch them and after an hour we send them home with clean water,” adds James Nobela, nurse.
The Department of Gauteng has reported that 229 people have been hospitalized and at least 23 people have died due to cholera since the start of the epidemic.