Zambia: Lusaka has reported 43 new cases of cholera, including one death. The Ministry of Health of Zambia has expressed its concern about the new development. The Minister of Health, Sylvia Masebo, announced that the government needs to make efforts to curb the disease.
The Health Minister has called on the public to assist the government in reducing the impact of the disease. Minister Masebo shared some of the steps the government has taken to curb the disease and safeguard the lives of citizens.
She has disclosed that the government has since released K2.9 million towards interventions being undertaken to mitigate the disease.
“The funds will also help the care givers here at the facility and the patients,” she said.
Meanwhile, Masebo said the ministry will also engage 120 more community health volunteers in their efforts to spread awareness about the disease. The healthcare workers will help sensitize members of the public on health practices to be adopted to avoid the further spread of Cholera.
“The media has continued to sensitise the nation, but we need door-to-door sensitisation in order to change the mindset of people,” she said.
Further, Minister Sylvia Masebo also disclosed that all staff in Cholera treatment centres currently on leave have been recalled to ensure staff availability in the facilities.
The minister said this in Lusaka today when in the company of her Permanent Secretary Christopher Simoonga, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Maambo Hamaundu, and other officials toured the Cholera Treatment Centre at Matero Level one Hospital in Lusaka today.
This was after it was reported to have been flooded in the early hours of today due to a heavy downpour.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Maambo Hamaundu directed all councils countrywide to ensure cleanliness in their localities.
He said local authorities should ensure that markets and other public places are kept clean.
Hamaundu also called on the public to ensure drainages are kept clean, adding that they should also avoid throwing litter in drainages.
He also called on members of the public to avoid selling food in public places as they are prone to contamination.
