Zambia: The Northern Province Minister, Leonard Mbao, has expressed concern about the lack of proper sanitation in some communities in the Mpulungu district. The situation is extremely delicate in light of the currently ongoing cholera crisis.
The lack of sanitation and hygiene in some communities of Zambia is becoming a cause of serious concern over the situation. The outbreak has claimed lives upwards of 600 in the last five months, meanwhile the number of infections is upwards of 16700.
The situation is worrisome for the ministry of health, which is why the minister of health in the central government, Sylvia Masebo is leading a community sensitization drive. Meanwhile, the provincial administrations are also facing a similar situation.
Northern Province Minister, Leonard Mbao said it is disheartening that many communities especially those who live along the shores of Lake Tanganyika do not have proper sanitation.
Minister Mbao, who is also a Mpulungu Member of Parliament, has since urged the Ministry of Health to ensure they enforce the law requiring people to construct toilets.
He said Mpulungu is prone to diarrheal diseases, and lack of proper sanitation will increase the chances of disease outbreaks.
Mbao explained that the lack of proper sanitation in communities along the shore poses a danger because they are highly populated as people go there to conduct fishing activities.
He said if cases of Cholera break out in those communities, they risk having the lake closed before the main closure, saying this will not be good for business.
The minister said this when he held a meeting with the District Health Office in Mpulungu.
Meanwhile, Mpulungu District Health Director Frederick Mwila thanked the minister for showing concern for the welfare of people in the district.
Dr Mwila explained that the department is working with the local authority to sensitise and engage village headmen on the importance of having proper sanitation.
He said the Department of health will ensure that people construct proper toilets in communities.
Dr Mwila further said the department has been working hard to ensure there is no outbreak of Cholera and other diarrheal diseases, adding that lack of proper sanitation is a setback in the fight.