EASTERN PROVINCE BUGESERA — Butchers have been closed after top officials in Nyamata have admitted there is risk of contracting worm in the district. A thorough inspection by district health officials accompanied by police revealed that meat consumers in Nyamata may be exposed to a health risk through consumption of unclean meat. “We took a decision to close the butchers due to poor unhygienic conditions at the slaughtering place” said François Karambizi the district health officer. “During our inspection drive we found feces littered around the slaughtering place and agreed that the meat is contaminated and dangerous for public health which prompted the decision to close the butcher” He said eating the unhygienic meat left one prone to catching diseases such as tape worm. Karambizi also said that during the health swoop, over 30 restaurants, bars and hair saloons were left closed due to poor hygiene. He said serious mitigation measures were paramount to prevent outbreak of diseases such as cholera and dysentery. He said roast meat commonly known as brochette, a good delicacy for most bar revellers, was also unsafe. In these places there is no remarkable distance between their kitchens and latrines yet waste disposal in these latrines is poor. The utensils are washed in dirty water while some stored food stuff together with charcoal.” Persistent unhygienic conditions in the butchers and restaurants have turned the area into fertile ground for diseases emanating from poor hygiene. Available statistics from the various health centers show that diseases due to poor hygiene has shot to 30.3 per cent from 20.8 per cent last year. In the hair salons it was found out that many barbers did not have disinfectants, which poses potential danger to contracting skin diseases. For a business to be open it must permission from the district after being re-inspected to ensure he has met the minimum required health standards. Ends
