Care International Zambia has donated Cholera Infection control material to the Mambwe District Health Office. The donation also includes funds worth K115,000. The handover ceremony was hosted at the health office on Wednesday.
The country has been working hard to curb the Cholera infection rates., which have seen some improvements in the previous week. Mambwe District Health Director Mutale Masamu said the government cherished the continued support of partners.
She thanked Care International for their contribution towards improving health care systems. The administration appreciated the support that the organization extended to the fight against Cholera.
Dr Masamu said that the outbreak of Cholera continued to pose a threat to the health security of the district. Accordingly, he called for a continued intensified multi-sectoral response to the outbreak.
She added that the administration needs to put in place rigorous efforts to quickly and effectively control the life-threatening disease.
The administration wants to ensure that they can prevent a future outbreak. Dr Masamu added that the outbreak of Cholera had a huge and widespread impact. He also noted that one death was recorded in the district.
She said that the sharp rise in Cholera cases had put a strain on government resources. This is why the district wants the support from other stakeholders across the country.
Dr Masumu said the donated items would be accounted for and delivered to the intended beneficiaries.
The items donated among others included:
- 25kilograms of granular chlorine,
- 360 by 250mililitres liquid chlorine,
- 360 by 250grams laundry bar soap,
- 96 by 450 milliliters liquid soap,
- 20 by 70 liters water storage buckets,
- 59 by 2.5 liters disinfectants,
- Cash provision to the District Health Office for Community Based Volunteer Sensitisations
- Health worker surveillance as well as cash provision to a local organisation in the district involved in health promotion.
Further, Care International Zambia Project Manager Jaqueline Chalapuka talked about the significance of the donation. He said the outbreak of diseases such as Cholera was unfortunate as it worsens the already existing injustices.
He believes that such diseases rob people of their right to access quality social services. Chalapuka noted that if the cholera situation had been prolonged the dual efforts of humanitarian development would be in vain.
She also reminded the government to continue engaging communities as they play an important role in combating the cholera disease. Meanwhile, Mambwe District Commissioner Wiliam Banda echoed the need for concerted efforts in the fight against cholera.
Banda encouraged all stakeholders in the district to work together to achieve better standards of health for all by emulating what Care International had done.
He also thanked the personnel at the Cholera Treatment Centers in the district for their resiliency and commitment to the fight against Cholera.
Mambwe District has cumulatively recorded 41 suspected Cholera cases, 13 confirmed cases, 1 cholera death, 39 discharges and 1 currently under treatment at Jumbe Boma Clinic Cholera Treatment Centre.