NEW YORK, United States of America, April 6, 2016/APO (African Press Organization)/ —
The Zambian Government-led response to an outbreak of cholera has received a ‘shot in the arm’ with UNICEF handing over to Ministry of Health, a diarrhoea kit and other supplies worth US$12,000. The diarrhoea kit, which contains medicines, medical consumables and equipment, oral rehydration salts (ORS) and intravenous fluids, is aimed at supporting efforts to control the outbreak with 549 cases and four deaths have been reported in the Southern African nation. Two of the dead are children.
Speaking during the handover ceremony on 18 March held in Lusaka at the national medical supply chain facility, Medical Stores Limited, UNICEF Zambia Representative Dr. Hamid El-Bashir Ibrahim, called for long term solutions from the Zambian Government and partners in response to outbreaks of waterborne diseases.
“While this support from UNICEF will go a long way in complimenting the efforts of the Ministry of Health to control the current cholera outbreak, it is my fervent hope and prayer that the Government of the Republic of Zambia and partners will look into long term solutions to address outbreaks of waterborne diseases,” Dr. Ibrahim said.
Dr. Ibrahim further noted that cholera and other waterborne diseases frequently occur in peri-urban and urban areas, thereby affecting the poorest and most vulnerable populations who live in areas that lack access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.
Receiving the cholera kit, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Peter Mwaba expressed gratitude to UNICEF for supporting the Government response to the cholera outbreak which has affected Lusaka, Central, Copperbelt and Northern provinces. Lusaka is the most affected with 480 cases reported, resulting in four deaths.
“As Government we are happy to have UNICEF, our all-weather friend, coming to our aid during this outbreak. I am relieved because I now know that in terms of supplies to use and looking after our staff we are done. I can only thank you on behalf of patients and frontline workers who I must say have done a commendable job given the magnitude of the problem,” said Dr. Mwaba.
UNICEF Zambia Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Specialist Dr. Colleta Kibassa, MD, explained that the cholera treatment kit will enable MoH treat up to 500 cases.
“The kit is designed to treat 500 people, that is, 100 severe cases and 400 mild or moderate cases. As UNICEF, in whatever we do, we have children in mind so this kit also provides for the needs of children,” Dr. Kibassa said. The supplies were air-lifted three weeks ago from UNICEF’s strategic Supply Division warehouse in Copenhagen, Denmark.
UNICEF has also provided support to the Government by helping to set up a new cholera treatment centre in the Bauleni area of Lusaka as well as aiding sensitisation activities through radio, interpersonal communication, print media and other communication media. Other support includes the provision of supplies to health workers such as protective wear, chlorine and soap.
In Zambia, cholera is considered endemic and breaks out during the rainy season as evidenced from repeated episodes of the disease over the years. The country experienced the worst cholera outbreak in 2010 with over 4,500 cases recorded and more than 120 deaths. The 2016 outbreak, like all others, has been attributed to poor water, hygiene and sanitation in communities. The affected peri-urban communities such as Kanyama and Bauleni in Lusaka lack clean water, sewerage systems and have shallow wells located next to pit latrines which overflow after heavy rains.
