HEALTH Minister, Sylvia Masebo yesterday took it upon herself to sensitize the community and streets of Lusaka on Cholera on a mobile Cholera sensitisation outreach.
The trail started from the Ministry of Health Headquarters in Lusaka as the minister led a multi-disciplinary team for a city-wide sensitisation.
Further, the minister announced National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka as a cholera admission centre for the district, which she visited for supervision.
The Heroes centre will handle all current cases of Cholera in the district where she said they will be properly managed.
During the tour, the minister visited illegal stands dealing in meat products and cautioned them on the effects of their unhealthy products to the consumers.
But also, Masebo visited Cholera centers and had one-on-one interactions with patients, whom she advised on how to take care of oneself if they were found in a Cholera situation so as to prevent catching the disease again or spreading further.
The minister further directed health practitioners at Cholera centers, especially the Heroes Stadium centre to ensure the environment is clean as she cleaned with them.
She also instructed them not to allow patients to partake of food coming from their homes nor use their home blankets as they may contain the disease because the ministry was providing new blankets and food.
Other alternatives put to maintain the pandemic include collaboration with the Ministry of Water Development that has moved in to ensure that there is provision of clean water in most Cholera affected areas.
Meanwhile the Ministry of Health set Oral rehydration points in communities.
These measures are being implemented following the gross outbreak of cholera in the country which has claimed at least 150 lives in the past four months with a total number of 4097 cases recorded.
Masebo emphasized the need to eat healthy and warm foods, drink clean and chlorinated water, avoid social gatherings, use clean toilets, and begin early treatment when symptoms are exhibited.
Today the minister undertakes the second day of the Mobile community Cholera senstization outreach in Kanyama and Chawama areas respectively.
Remember, Cholera deaths can be prevented through rehydration and early treatment and maintain the health guidelines as provided by the Ministry of Health.
By Buumba Mwitumwa
Kalemba January 5, 2023
