Israeli experts join in cholera battle

Sun, 07 Jan 2018 10:35:14 +0000

By KALOBWE BWALYA

A TEAM of five experts from Sheba medical centre in Israel are in the country to support the Presidential initiative to deal with cholera.

Special assistant to the President for press and public relations Amos Chanda said the team which comprises water engineers and epidemiologists had already gone on the ground to conduct rapid tests and gather information about the epidemic.

Mr Chanda said experts would consider many interventions such as the deployment of high technology to deal with water purification and treatment.

He said the overall objective of such interventions would be to deal with cholera in a comprehensive manner.

Mr Chanda said the technology and treatment was meant to completely eliminate the bacteria that causes cholera in the short and medium term.

As part of the long term measures the team would provide technical advice and support to help Government to combat cholera.

He said the technical advice would also include interventions for medium and long- team measures to address the water and sanitation problems especially in high density population areas.

Mr Chanda explained that President Edgar Lungu’s plan was not only to intervene in cholera situation now but to find a lasting solution to the  problem.

This, he said, included upgrading unplanned settlements to prevent further perennial outbreaks of the disease in future. 

“I must clarify that this intervention is not Government to Government arrangement, but it’s a response to a Presidential initiative, later on it might come, but right now it is Sheba medical centre the owners of Kasumbalesa border post as a contribution to a broader response,” said Mr Chanda.