Zimbabwe 'asks for cholera help'

The health sector has been unable to cope with the cholera outbreak

Zimbabwe's government has asked for urgent international help to tackle its cholera outbreak, the World Health Organisation has said.

At a meeting with aid agencies, Health Minister David Parirenyatwa is reported to have asked for medicine, equipment and funds to pay medical staff.

Cholera has killed at least 565 people in Zimbabwe since August, the UN says.

Ministers previously said the outbreak was under control. They blamed it on Western sanctions on President Mugabe.

On Wednesday, Police in the Zimbabwean capital Harare broke up a protest march by doctors and nurses angered at the worsening outbreak.

Earlier, Harare police broke up a protest march by doctors and nurses.