‘HEIGHTEN CHOLERA SENSITIZATION’

IN the wake of escalating cases of cholera in the country, we call on the government to heighten sensitization among members of the public as a way to counter the further spread of the disease, Jubilee Leaders Network (JLN) Communications Director Peace Banda has said.

Speaking to The Scoop, Mr. Banda has called on the government through its various agencies and stakeholders to heighten sensitization among members of the public as a way to counter the further spread of the pandemic.

“While we commend the efforts already in place by the government through the Ministry of Health and other likeminded institutions, on the other hand, we feel significant progress is being hampered by the knowledge gap coupled with myths especially on the treatment of cholera through the use of homemade remedies,” he said.

He said the myths that were surrounding the treatment of cholera other than the health guidelines put in place will not only cost the Government but the health of the people.

“This in our view is not only costing government resources but also putting the lives of our people at high risk, as evidenced by the upswing in the number of deaths recorded so far. A multi-sectoral approach is the only sure way we as a nation can win this fight against cholera,” Mr. Banda said.

He added that most people were still presenting permittivity thoughts by ignoring the strict measures of adherence to the disease.

In this vein, he said, we would like to thank the churches and other organizations that have already responded to the government’s directive by reducing the number of hours they meet for worship.

He also called on the government to have paid up for programmes and adverts in various media organisations both private and public as a way to thank them for their work during the cholera updates to the nation.

“Therefore, our call to the Government is that while these media organizations offer some free air space as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility, let there be a deliberate move to pay for some programs and adverts as a way of boosting their businesses and encouraging them to do more,” he said.

ZAMBIA’S CONGESTED CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES HAVE WATER – PRISCCA

By Jessica Mwansa

MOST of the Zambia’s congested correctional facility centreshave no proper access to safe and drinking water and they are vulnerable to cholera outbreak, Prison Care and Counselling Association (PRISCCA) Executive Director Godfrey Malembeka has said.

Speaking to The Scoop, Dr Malembeka appealed to the government to ensure that the donated water tanks by well-wishers were also taken to correctional centres.

“We appeal to the government to ensure that they also consider taking the recently donated cholera preventive equipment from well-wishers to correctional facilities because the prisoners are at high risk of suffering from the cholera disease,” he said.

Dr Malembeka said the Government should distribute both water tanks and water bowsers to correctional facilities in rural areas to enhance provision of clean and safe drinking water amidst the cholera disease.

He said most correctional facilities in Zambia were congested with incarcerated inmates who were at high risk of contracting water borne diseases such as cholera due to lack of clean and safe drinking water.

“The congestion levels in our correctional facilities are alarming because we have more than 25, 000 inmates in the holding capacity meant for 10, 000 plus. However, wherever there is congestion you expect water borne diseases, airborne diseases, blood borne diseases among many other diseases and today the country is experiencing cholera and Covid-19 is still with us,” he said.

Dr Malembeka however said the association was grateful with the government’s concerted efforts in the fight against cholera.

“We have seen and we appreciate Government’s efforts but we recently saw huge donations of water tanks and water bowsers and also the prevention dosages that were donated about 1.7 million dosages.

Our request and appeal to the Ministry of Health and other Ministries is to extend the mounting of these water tanks to the rural correctional centres where we do not have enough water to join in the fight against cholera,” he said.