The Ministry of Health in Zambia has recorded a spike in cholera cases in the country. In the last 24 hours, 203 new cases were recorded countrywide. With this number, the country has recorded 11 deaths on the last day of 2023.
76 patients who were receiving treatment at the hospital were discharged after finishing treatment. Meanwhile, 284 patients are currently admitted to the hospitals in the country.
Further, in the past 24 hours, Lusaka Province recorded 198 new cases and 76 discharges, with 284 in admission.
Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo provided a detailed review of the situation in the country. She made the announcement during a media briefing in Lusaka on Sunday. According to her brief for Lusaka province, Lusaka District had 188 cases recorded, Luangwa 0, Chongwe 0 and Chilanga 10.
She added that the distribution of the 11 deaths recorded in Lusaka province indicates two for Kanyama, two BIDs and two facility deaths, Matero three BIDs, Chipata two BIDs, and Levy Mwanawasa Hospital also recorded two facility deaths.
Minister of Health Masebo has urged members of the public presenting cholera symptoms to visit a nearby health facility on time in order to avoid bringing in dead cases. The people of the country have been struggling with the disease for several months.
The Minister of Health has recounted all the efforts of the officials of the Zambia Ministry of Health. Minister Sylvia Masebo added that during the year, the ministry put in place interventions to improve the availability and access to quality essential medicines and health facilities.
She said the ministry, therefore, has recorded an increase in medical supply from 50% in 2022 to 80% in 2023.
Minister Masebo also stated that the government has constructed five district hospitals in Luapula, Eastern and Copperbelt provinces.
She said Mambwe District Hospital in Eastern Province has been completed, while the other four will be finished early next year.