Malawi president, Dr. Lazarus has today presided over the official launch of Tithetse Cholera Campaign, a national intervention that seeks to galvanize and upgrade efforts towards eradication of the cholera endemic at Area 25 in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe.
The Malawi president took opportunity to interact with health workers at Area 25 Health Centre, whose Cholera Treatment Unit was cause for ugly altercation and violence with communities last week.
According to Chakwera, one thing that stands prominent is that Cholera, just as many diseases, is subjected to persistent misinformation fashioned around cultural myths within communities.
“I, on behalf of Malawians, have apologized to health personnel at Area 25 Health Centre and across the country for encountering grievous acts in the line of duty while treating cholera patients,” he says.
Chakwera adds,” I continue to plead with all stakeholders to strike necessary balance between health and labour rights. It is retrogressive to hinder efforts by health personnel on duty at the clinic or when they go into communities for sensitization, chlorination and contact tracing,”
“I have, therefore, tasked the Ministry of Health to initiate comprehensive reforms around security of health workers on duty.”
Malawi is experiencing a widespread cholera outbreak, with 36 943 cases and 1210 associated deaths reported from all 29 districts since 3 March 2022. This is the deadliest outbreak of cholera in the country’s history.
