ZIMBABWE has declared a national emergency and appealed for international aid to tackle a cholera outbreak that has claimed 565 lives.
"The Government yesterday declared the cholera outbreak … and the malfunctioning of central hospitals as national emergencies, and appealed to the donor community for assistance to alleviate the situation," the state-run Herald newspaper said.
"The emergency appeal will help us reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with the current socio-economic environment," the paper yesterday reported the Health Minister, David Parirenyatwa, telling a meeting of aid groups.
"Our central hospitals are literally not functioning. Our staff is demotivated and we need your support to ensure that they start coming to work and our health system is revived."
Government medical staff went on strike in October to protest against the deteriorating condition of the national health system. Baton-wielding riot police broke up a demonstration by doctors and nurses on Wednesday.
The health workers, many dressed in uniform, fled as police approached. Nearby, teachers and other union members tried to join the protest but were clubbed by police officers. At least 15 were arrested.
The chaos came after soldiers, angered at the meagreness of their deflated pay and unable to withdraw money from banks, rampaged through central Harare on Monday, breaking windows, looting stores and robbing the money changers who deal in foreign currency. Armed police dispersed them with tear gas.
Doctors, nurses and health workers had tried to present a petition at the Health Ministry but were forcibly dispersed by the riot squad, who remain steadfastly loyal to Robert Mugabe's regime.
Three journalists, two from the nation's weekly newspaper, The Independent , and one from the South African Broadcasting Corporation, were arrested as the demonstrations began.
In a protest letter, the medical personnel said: "We are forced to work without basic health institutional needs like drugs, adequate water and sanitation, safe clothing gear, medical equipment and basic support services.
"Health workers can no longer afford to buy food and other basic goods and services."
Efforts by trade unionists to hold a general strike in protest at the cash shortage that is crippling daily activities were also broken up.
The secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, Wellington Chibebe, was arrested while addressing workers in the capital, along with nine other people, the organisation said in a statement. More than 30 were held around the country.
Hyperinflation is raging, with the latest official figure, for July, at 231 million per cent and independent estimates far higher.
The central bank increased the amount of money people could withdraw from banks to quell unrest, raising the withdrawal limit from the equivalent of 41 cents a day to about $76 a week. Authorities also announced three new banknotes would be issued, the biggest a $100 million bill.
Telegraph, London; Guardian News & Media; Agence France-Presse
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