Zimbabwe has finally declared a national emergency, because of the cholera epidemic that is sweeping the country and the collapse of state hospitals, and has appealed for international help.

David Parirenyatwa, the health minister, asked for drugs, laboratory reagents, renal and laundry equipment, x ray film, boilers, food for patients, and $11m (£7m; €9m) to persuade striking doctors and nurses to resume their work.

“Our central hospitals are literally not functioning,” he said. “The emergency appeal will help us reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with the current socioeconomic environment by December 2009.”

Cholera has killed at least 575 people in …