By FLAVIOR CHISHALA –
THE Ministry of Health has continued to record more cholera cases in Lusaka Province.
Provincial medical officer Kennedy Malama said one new case has been confirmed in Lusaka’s Kabanana Township, four in Chibombo and two in Chipata Township.
Dr Malama said the disease was no longer confined to Kanyama Township, but had spread to other parts of the province.
He said this yesterday during a meeting held with various stakeholders to update the nation on the status of the disease.
“I can confirm that the disease is spreading at a fast rate, but we are trying our best to control it and as of yesterday only three new cases were received,” he said.
He said 11 patients were so far receiving treatment at the centre, and among them is a woman who lost her pregnancy due to the disease.
Dr Malama said the disease had the potential to become a national disaster if not properly handled hence the need for more sensitisation among all Lusaka residents.
He said most people in Kanyama Township showed ignorance of the disease and opted to threaten the team of health experts each time they visited them for sensitisation.
Even though homes of patients have been disinfected, the disease was still being spread through the sale of food stuff on the street especially the already cooked meals.
There was need to control street vendors and ensure that people were reminded to maintain both personal and household hygiene.
Dr Malama appealed to all well-wishers and various stakeholders to help with cholera beds, food for both patients and staff as well as medical equipment such as methylated spirit among others.
Lusaka District Commissioner Davies Mulenga said the Lusaka City Council (LCC) was doing everything possible to reduce the spread of the disease.
Captain Mulenga said LCC had intensified garbage collection in the area and the distribution of chlorine at household level.
He said LCC also disinfected most septic tanks in schools because those were a major concern as they were more prone to the disease.
“We have joined hands with health inspectors but we cannot do this if the residents are not aware of what is going so we are appealing the general public to abide by the health rules,” he said.