Typhoid: KCCA sets tough measures for food vending

Mar 10, 2015

As part of the strategy to stop the spread of typhoid, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has set tough measures for food vending. All food vendors who do not meet the set standards face closure and their licenses cancelled.


By Jeff Andrew, Juliet Waiswa and Hajarah Mulumba      

As part of the strategy to stop the spread of typhoid, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has set tough measures for food vending.


All food vendors who do not meet the set standards face closure and their licenses cancelled.

KCCA’s director for Public Health and environment, Dr. David Serukka said they have increased the number of health inspectors to visit various all eating places in all the divisions to check whether they meet the required standards.

“The inspectors will also be sensitizing the owners on the epidemic and how it can be avoided,” he said.

Serukka said no more preparing of food on verandas and pavements, open spaces like parks and an alienated public land without permission from KCCA.

All those operating eateries and serving food will be subjected to medical tests before they are allowed to operate. “All these people have to be diagnosed as a prerequisite to make sure they are in good health to serve others,” he added.

Serukka said those found operating eateries without license will be prosecuted.  

He said the measures are meant to curb the spread of typhoid in city and other outbreaks like cholera in the future.

Last week KCCA closed seven shopping arcades over poor sanitation. Serukka said a total of 2000 typhoid patients have been undergoing treatment since it broke out on February 6.

“Majority of the patients are male in their mid-thirties and mainly taxi drivers”.

Many of the patients are residents of Kasubi, Nsambya, Kawala and Kazo, operating businesses in Nakasero Market, Owino, Old Park, Qualicell and New Taxi Park.

Serukka said they are engaging leaders of Taxi Parks and other affected areas in sensitizing the people on typhoid prevention and treatment.

He noted that being a food and waterborne disease, the inspectorate team has been directed to re-inspect, educate and close the potential sources of the infection.

At all other Division Urban Authorities, health inspectors are working together with Village Health Teams (VHT) to sensitize the locals on the causes and encouraging them avoid drinking un boiled water, especially that packed in polythene bags.

"We are sensitizing people through leaders of different groups like market leaders, boda-boda riders and youth groups," the deputy Mayor Nakawa, Betty Tushabe said.

Rubaga division town clerk, James Luyimbazi said they already embarked on the inspection of all eating places to make sure the required standards are followed.



 

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});