Zambia: Restaurant owners at Dambwa Central Market have taken proactive measures to adhere to the cholera stipulated guidelines. The business owners are dedicated to curbing the spread of the disease.
The cholera outbreak that is affecting various parts of the country has claimed almost 500 lives in the last four months. The Ministry of Health and other health stakeholders in the country are constantly urging citizens to comply with preventive measures.
One of the main measures being implemented is providing adequate hand-washing facilities for customers. The restaurant owners realize that consumption of contaminated food and water is the main cause of the infection.
Accordingly, the businesspersons are undertaking every measure to ensure sanitation and hygiene in the preparation and consumption of food.
The healthcare officials of various districts and provinces of the country are visiting various restaurants and food places to ensure that hygiene and sanitation standards are being maintained.
If a business is found in violation of the standards set by the health ministry, it is closed down, citing the benefit of the community. Accordingly, the Dambwa Central Market Restaurant owners shared their efforts to comply with the regulations.
Norah Nyambe said it is important to cover food, clean up after meals, and maintain a clean environment to prevent the presence of ants, flies, and diseases.
Concepta Katambi said they are cleaning water with chlorine, ensuring a clean soap area for hand washing, covering bins, and mopping floors with soapy water and chlorinated water is provided to their customers.
Mulenga said that they make sure the place they are working from is clean, stating that they wash their dishes and clean up once people are done eating, and before cooking, they wash their hands and make sure the surroundings are always clean
Further, Dambwa Central Market committee vice chairperson Boyd Tembo has spoken out about the efforts being made to ensure a hygienic environment in the market amidst the ongoing cholera outbreak.
Tembo said that the market has been proactive in maintaining hygiene standards by consistently sanitizing the people. The people are ensuring the cleanliness of restrooms, and providing hand sanitizers throughout the market.
He stated that the market has also been working with local restaurants to ensure that they are adhering to health guidelines.
Tembo mentioned that two restaurants had to close due to a lack of proper equipment, but the market is now working closely with them to provide support and guidance so that they can reopen safely.
He said the goal is to maintain a clean and healthy environment for everyone visiting the market.