HARARE, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe's Medical Association has urged the government to declare the cholera outbreak a national disaster, to help mobilize more resources to fight the epidemic, state news agency New Ziana reported Saturday.

    Availability of more resources would help contain the outbreak, which has so far claimed several lives, the association said in a press release.

    "This will galvanize all the resources necessary to get the outbreak under control," it said.

    The association also urged the National Water Supply Authority to ensure speedy restoration of the sewer management system and provision of safe drinking water.

    There are fears that the onset of the rainy season and the strike by health personnel would result in the outbreak getting out of control.

    The association warned that Zimbabwe's health care system is now on the verge of collapse, as there was serious brain drain at all levels of health professionals.

    Lack of trained medical workers had compromised operations at most health institutions, it said.