Salima Stakeholders Pledge Support for Cholera Campaign

Malawi-Various stakeholders, including chiefs and religious leaders, in Salima district, have committed to supporting the national Tithetse Kolera campaign, launched by Malawi's President Lazarus Chakwera to combat the outbreak in the country, writes Fegson Phabuli.

The announcement was made during a full council meeting hosted by the Salima district health office at Salima Community Hall on March 2, 2023.

According to the Salima district health office, the campaign will run from March 6th to March 17th, 2023, and will focus on increasing access to safe water and sanitation, community involvement, and social mobilization in cholera prevention and treatment.

"We are calling various parties, including political leaders, chiefs, and religious leaders, to assist and take the lead in raising awareness of the cholera epidemic and its prevention in order to put an end to the outbreak in the district," said Angella Sakwata, spokesperson for the Salima district health office.

The authorities plan to provide door-to-door service to sustain a downward trend in new cases.

Traditional Authority Kambwiri praised the initiative, saying it would save many lives in their areas.

"People are dying massively from cholera; hence, the campaign will have a significant impact on our various communities," he said.

Participants in the meeting included representatives from the Salima District Council, the health department, councillors, chiefs, religious figures, and the police.

Salima is one of the districts in Malawi that has been severely affected by the cholera outbreak.

The campaign aims to reduce the number of cholera cases in the district and the country as a whole.

Cholera is a highly contagious disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The disease can cause severe diarrhoea and vomiting, leading to dehydration and potentially death if left untreated.

The disease spreads through contaminated water and food.

The World Health Organization estimates that there are between 1.3 and 4 million cases of cholera each year and 21,000 to 143,000 deaths worldwide.