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Cholera Vaccine Success in Malawi: Mangochi District Sees Significant Reduction in Cases
The government of Malawi, with the help of the Indian government, GAVI, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization, began distributing a cholera vaccine in November 2022 in an effort to combat the ongo
Malawi: The cholera vaccine is performing wonders in reducing cases in Malawi, with the Mangochi district being a particularly notable success story as people there are hailing the vaccine for significantly decreasing the number of patients being admitted to hospitals, writes Bertha Gama.
The government of Malawi, with the help of the Indian government, GAVI, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization, began distributing a cholera vaccine in November 2022 in an effort to combat the ongoing cholera pandemic in the country.
The vaccine has been especially effective in the Mangochi district, which had been identified as a hotspot for the disease.
"Before the cholera vaccine donation, people were dying every day here at Monkey-Bay Community Hospital," said Hilda Mtambo, a Senior Health Surveillance Assistant.
"But since we started the vaccination campaign, we have seen a significant decrease in the number of patients being admitted, and most of those who are still coming in have not yet been vaccinated. It's clear that the vaccine is really working."
In addition to receiving the vaccine, communities have also been following the preventive measures recommended by the Ministry of Health, such as washing their hands and keeping their compounds clean.
The Monkey-Bay community hospital has also been distributing pails and soap to every household in villages to further aid in preventing the spread of the disease.
"Before, people were not practising these preventive measures, but now the situation has changed thanks to the arrival of the cholera vaccine," said Village Headman Sumbi.
"Our homes are now safer, and I encourage everyone to get vaccinated."
The cholera vaccine campaign has not only helped bring the pandemic under control but has also educated people on how to prevent future outbreaks.
The Ministry of Health and Health Surveillance Assistants in rural areas have been working to sensitize communities on how to properly treat water for drinking and other domestic uses.
"The cholera vaccine campaign has brought us joy as the pandemic is coming to an end, but it has also taught us measures we can take to prevent it in the future," said Maria Gama, a survivor of the cholera pandemic.