Zambia (Solwezi): The Solwezi Municipal Council says it has managed to chlorinate over 20 shallow water wells in three townships to help prevent and contain cholera in the District.
Solwezi Municipal Council Assistant Public Relations Manager Esther Chirwa told the media in an interview that 30 shallow water wells have been chlorinated since January 8, 2024.
Esther Chirwa said that, through the Department of Public Health, the local authority has also managed to lime 30 pit latrines within the same period.
She added that the council has also intensified other cholera preventive measures, such as monitoring compliance to public health standards in places of worship following the government’s issuance of guidelines to be adhered to in church gatherings as cholera cases escalate in the country.
Esther Chirwa said that over the past weekend, the Public Health Inspectors have been inspecting churches in the Zambia, Weighbridge, Mbonge, Stadium, Kazomba, and Messengers areas.
“Out of the thirty-five (35) churches inspected, congregants in six places of worship were dispersed as the churches did not meet the minimal Public Health standards,” she said.
“It was discovered that some churches completely lack places of convenience, others only have one toilet shared by both men and women, and others do not have hand washing facilities and toilets in an unhygienic state,” she said.
Esther Chirwa said congregants have also been sensitized to the importance of observing public health standards in preventing the spread of cholera and saving lives.
She has reiterated that Church leaders should also ensure that public health measures are adhered to by seeing to it that places of convenience should always be in a good state, provide soap and clean and safe water for use by congregants as well as announce and disseminate cholera messages to the congregants or attendees during worship.
Solwezi District has so far reported 61 cases of cholera, while the country has recorded over 12,000 cumulative cases since October last year.