By Cathy Maulidi:
Cholera is tormenting the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) with leaders disclosing that the region is accounting for 73 percent of cholera cases in the whole African continent.
Troubled with the situation, Sadc Heads of State and government yesterday held a meeting to discuss both quick and long term measures that can be used to contain the situation.
The leaders meeting comes barely days after the Council of Ministers of Sadc also convened virtually to discuss measures to prevent and control cholera which some Member States have experienced since the onset of the rainy season.
Speaking during a virtual meeting which President Lazarus Chakwera also attended, Sadc Executive Secretary Elias Magosi said cholera outbreak continues to cause more pain to the people in the region and leaders have to join hands for action.
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“The region has experienced cholera outbreak leading to deaths and more suffering. It is for this reason that that the Sadc council of ministers convened to discuss the cholera situation days ago,” he said.
According to Magosi, the meeting revealed that the cholera cases in the region accounted for 73 percent of all cholera cases in the African continent.
“This tells us that cholera cases in our region have put a heavy strain on our health system. The situation is worrisome, very concerning and calls for solidarity and collaboration,” Magosi said.
In his remarks, president for the Republic of Angola and Chairperson of Sadc Joào Manuel Goncalves Lourenco called for consolidation of regional efforts in combating cholera and other climate-related diseases.
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He also emphasised the need for the region to collectively take comprehensive and coordinated action guided by the expertise of health professionals and cooperating partners such as the Africa CDC and the World Health Organization.
“Our struggle against cholera requires more than single medical treatment. It requires a broad strategy that involves communities, quality healthcare and efficient management of cases as well as strategic use of oral vaccine against cholera as a preventive measure.
“However, what is worrisome is our limited ability to access vaccines; therefore we must challenge ourselves and join hands to make the necessary investments,” Luorenco said.
The meeting revealed that the region registered 221,972 cases of cholera from January 1, 2022 to 24 January 2024 and 3,751 deaths in the same period.
Malawi topped the list of cholera deaths with 1,771 deaths, seconded by Democratic Republic of Congo which recorded 766 cholera deaths.
