Thu, 11 Jan 2018 10:32:41 +0000
By CHIKUMBI KATEBE
GOVERNMENT has recorded massive reductions in cholera infections from 164 to about 80 in the last four days.
And Lusaka residents turned up in large numbers to receive cholera vaccine which was launched yesterday.
Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya said the country recorded 83 new cases as at 06:00 hours yesterday with no death from cholera.
He said out of the 179 patients currently admitted to the treatment centres across the country, 54 were admitted to various cholera treatment units, while 125 were at Heroes cholera centre
“We have not had any deaths in the last 24 hours, and we want to appreciate all the stakeholders who have been contributing to the multi-sectoral effort in combating cholera,” he said.
And Dr Chilufya reported as a measure of success that out of 2,755 cases recorded, 2, 514 cases were successfully treated and discharged from health facilities across the country.
Meanwhile, Dr Chilufya yesterday launched the oral cholera vaccination which targeted over two million people in efforts to eradicate future epidemics following the current outbreak.
Dr Chilufya said even with the vaccine, Government would still ensure strong preventive measures in addressing other drivers of the epidemic to avoid future disease outbreaks.
Kanyama Member of Parliament Elizabeth Phiri hailed Government and its cooperating partners for taking the vaccination exercise to the area, but urged residents to raise their standards of cleanliness in their surroundings.
And United Nations country representative Janet Rogan led the technical team at the launch of the vaccination yesterday with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF who worked in collaboration with the Ministry of Health in the exercise.
Ms Rogan said WHO with UNICEF have jointly facilitated the procurement of over two million doses of the oral cholera vaccine and 5, 000 kilogrammes of granule chlorine for use in the decontamination of pit latrines and other contaminated facilities. And Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZANACO) has contributed K1.5 million towards the purchase of 130 x 10,000 litres water storage tanks to be put up around Lusaka.
