Malawi rolls out integrated cholera, COVID-19 campaign

The Malawian government says it will roll out an integrated nationwide cholera and COVID-19 campaign.

This is to prevent spread of cholera and to allow the population to access the COVID-19 vaccine.

Secretary for Ministry of Local Government, James Chiusiwa, said the campaign will run for 12 days, from March 2.

The campaign is part of the “Tithetse Kolera m’Malawi” (Let’s End Cholera in Malawi) campaign.

President Lazarus Chakwera officially launched the campaign on Feb. 13.

This is as the disease continues to claim lives and infect hundreds every day.

Ministries of Health and Local Government will implement the campaign.

The campaign will be funded by UNICEF and the WHO, among other partners, according to the statement.

It will use parliamentarians, ward councillors, traditional chiefs, religious leaders, community leaders and community health workers to mobilise the citizenry.

The mobilisation would focus on water sanitation and hygiene, early detection of cholera and preliminary remedies before seeking medical attention.

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Minister of Health, Khumbize Chiponda, said recently that her ministry will take the campaign against cholera to the communities.

Through the campaign, Oral Rehydration Salts and chlorine will be distributed to households across the country, according to Chiponda, who is also co-chair of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and cholera.

“To stop cholera from spreading, we need to break the transmission cycle through infection prevention and control in our communities.

“The team is providing training to households on hand hygiene and other infection prevention and control measures.

“These include safe handling of food and water,” she said.

Chiponda added that her ministry and the Task Force “will also use the campaign to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to the population”.

Cholera has killed over 1,500 people in Malawi, as reported cases have reached 49,000 since the disease broke out in March 2022.

Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, has reported most of the cases (over 9,500).

And most of the deaths (about 500) compared to other districts, according to the Task Force’s update on the disease on Monday. (Xinhua)