MHEN Calls for Schools to Remain Open During Cholera Outbreak, Issues Prevention Recommendations

Malawi: The Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) has called for schools to remain open in spite of the ongoing cholera outbreak, issuing a statement with recommendations for preventing the spread of the disease in schools, writes Winston Mwale.

The organization believes that children will be safer in school than playing in their residential areas and that they can serve as effective vehicles for spreading information about cholera prevention to their households.

MHEN advises that schools in Blantyre and Lilongwe, which have been particularly hard hit by the outbreak, should be allowed to reopen and implement the Ministry of Education's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) with close monitoring from school management committees, parent-teacher associations, and MoE officials.

The statement also includes recommendations for re-introducing hand-washing facilities, training school staff in first aid, regulating food vendors on school premises, and increasing cholera monitoring and supervision in both schools and homes.

Down the MEHN statement below: