By Chisomo Phiri
In his responce to the calls for the fight against cholera outbreak which has hit hard most parts of the country, President Lazarus Chakwera on Monday presided over the official launch of ‘Tithetse Cholera’ Campaign, at Mgona Community Ground in Lilongwe.
The President also took his 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.
Speaking at the event, Chakwera said one thing that stands prominent is that Cholera, just as many diseases, is subjected to persistent misinformation fashioned around cultural myths within communities.
The Malawi leader on behalf of Malawians 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.
“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,” said Chakwera
Chakwera disclosed that he has currently, tasked the Ministry of Health to initiate comprehensive reforms around security of health workers on duty.
Launched under the them’ Integrated Community Based Cholera Response’, Tithetse Cholera is a national intervention that seeks to galvanize and upgrade efforts towards eradication of the cholera endemic.
Its launch brought together Cabinet Ministers, development partners such as the UN, UNICEF and WHO; traditional and religious leaders among others.
