CHOLERA OUTBREAK TO IMPACT NEGATIVELY ON ECONOMY, SAYS CHISANGA

By Scoop Reporter

THE economy is set to face more health challenges following the outbreak of cholera and other waterborne diseases in some parts of the country, Economist Kelvin Chisanga has observed.  

Mr. Chisanga said the emerging cases of cholera which had battered some parts of the country like the case was in Eastern Province, risked worsening the country’s economic situation hence the need for serious interventions to thwart the health challenge this may create.

“From the current economic situation, we are seeing some strong emerging chances of having cholera and other related water borne diseases which need strong policy and resource interventions. Water situations will have some cascading effects and will further weaken the economy to record the lowest economic profile since Covid-19 era,” Mr. Chisanga said.

He noted that cholera will undoubtedly impact badly on the already struggling economy saying the economics of cholera had far-reaching effects which were quite devastating.

“Medicine importation will have a huge share in the local forex market interplay. Unpreparedness and mishandling of the pending disease this year such as Cholera and other water borne related illness will devastate the economy further.

“Disease control will hit hard into our Treasury making it extremely difficult to contain the budget deficit as planned and rearranged in this fiscal year because the Government will dig deeper towards containing disease mitigation and control measures,” he said.