Media Team | Sunday, 7th January 2024 | Lusaka
The government is making every effort to halt the devastating Cholera epidemic, which has claimed the lives of 192 individuals and hospitalized hundreds more since its emergence in October.
Dr. Gabriel Pollen, the National Coordinator of the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), is at the forefront of the fight against the bacterial disease that causes diarrhoea and severe dehydration. He emphasizes that the government is implementing drastic measures to completely eliminate the cholera outbreak.
The country has been severely impacted by cholera, a waterborne disease, with 26 districts affected.
Dr. Pollen emphasized that the government’s efforts to combat cholera extended beyond managing cases to addressing the root causes of the epidemic, such as sanitation and hygiene issues, in order to prevent the transmission of the disease.
The government revealed that it is currently supplying clean drinking water in all the areas affected by cholera. They have installed 300 water tanks with a capacity of 10,000 liters each in these hot spot areas.
Dr. Pollen, the leader of the anti-Cholera squad, was complying with the Presidential directive by burying shallow wells in the communities of Lusaka. Additionally, they were emptying 20,000 pit latrines and implementing super chlorination measures.
Pollen disclosed the information while overseeing the implementation of government measures to combat cholera, alongside Permanent Secretaries and other high-ranking government officials.
The Cholera Treatment Centre is located at the National Heroes Stadium, one of the facilities we visited during our tour.
Dr. Pollen and his team conducted a visit to recently installed water tanks in high-risk areas, along with the government’s newly constructed drainage systems aimed at mitigating flooding.
During the same tour, Thabo Kawana, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, reiterated the government’s dedication to eliminating the cholera outbreak in the country.
Kawana stated that the government has successfully acquired all the necessary medical supplies and equipment for the Cholera Treatment Centres nationwide. They are tirelessly addressing the needs of affected areas to ensure the complete eradication of the epidemic.