It is very disappointing that some business entities want to take advantage of the cholera epidemic for exploitation by hiking prices of commodities that could help stop cholera transmissions, Zambia Medical Association (ZMA) Secretary General Kaoma Oliver has said.
Dr. Kaoma told The Scoop that there was urgent need for concerted effort is fighting cholera.
He urged businesses to refrain from exploiting citizens but to join as partners in the response to the pandemic.
“The association notes with great disappointment that some business entities perceive cholera as an opportunity for exploitation by hiking prices of commodities that are essential to the fight, Businesses should refrain from such business practices but to join as partners in the response.
“Stakeholders that have not joined the response to come on-board and identify one or more challenges which you can help address. This would greatly strengthen the response, shorten the duration of the outbreak and avert adverse economic impact this may have,” Dr. Kaoma Said.
Dr. Kaoma added that it was important to mount an effective response as outlined in the National Cholera Elimination Plan (NCEP) 2018-2025, while communities also play a role.
He also emphasized the urgent need to augment the government’s efforts towards strengthening the community interventions whose success greatly depends on addressing the arising challenges.
He further assured theassociation’s commitment towards promoting and maintaining high standards of medical practice through the provision of continuous medical education and by influencing national policy and public opinion on health matters.