Cholera breaks out in Lusaka
Health Minister Dr. Chitalu Chilufya has disclosed that about five cases of Cholera have been recorded in the last one month.
Dr. Chilufya says laboratory tests confirmed four cases of cholera and have since been treated successfully and discharged.
Speaking in Lusaka at a stakeholders workshop for the finalization of the Multisectoral Cholera Elimination Plan, Dr. Chilufya says the cases were recorded in Kabanana, Garden-Chilulu, SOS, Chipata compound and Mtendere.
Dr. Chilufya has assured the public that government has come up with measures to ensure that the outbreak does not escalate.
He explains that his Ministry has heightened surveillance in every part of the country particularly in areas that were affected in Lusaka.
Dr. Chilufya says it is for this reason that Four Cabinet Ministers have pledged to implement key strategies to end Cholera outbreaks in Zambia by 2025 against the global target.
The Ministers include, Vincent Mwale for Local Government, Dr. Dennis Wanchinga, Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection, Minister in the office of the Vice President Sylvia Chalikosa.
Dr. Chilufya has expressed optimism that Zambia will meet its plan of eliminating cholera by 2025 through a Multisectoral response approach.
And Minister in the Office of the Vice President Sylvia Chalikosa says the office of the Vice President and line Ministries together with other cooperating partners will help in coordination and resources mobilization.
And Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection, Dr. Dennis Wanchinga says his Ministry will supply clean water to various communities so as to ensure that the country meets this target.
Meanwhile Local Government Minister Vincent Mwale says his Ministry is this week taking the local government repeal bill to parliament that will help establish legally the ward development communities.
And speaking at the same event, World Health Organization Country Representative Dr. Nathan Bakyaita says the Global Roadmap underscores the need for a multi-sectoral approach to cholera control with country-level planning for early detection and response to outbreaks.
Dr. Bakyaita notes that every death from cholera is preventable with the tools available today, including use of the Oral Cholera Vaccine and improved access to basic safe water, sanitation and hygiene as set out in the Roadmap.
Last year, the Global Task Force on Cholera Control launched an ambitious new strategy to reduce deaths from Cholera by 90 percent by 2030.