SANFROSSA MANYINDA writes
CHOLERA remains endemic to more than 47 countries in Africa with an estimated 40-80 million people living in cholera hotspots, says Zambia Water Forum and Exhibition (ZAWAFE) chairperson Professor Imasiku Nyambe.
Prof Nyambe said that approximately 2.9 million cholera cases were recorded each year worldwide and 1.3 billion persons were at risk of infection.
He was speaking in Lusaka on Wednesday when he announced that Zambia’s 8th ZAWAFE exhibition would be held from the 10th and 12th of June in Lusaka under the theme “The impact of sanitation in water security in sub-Saharan Africa towards the implementation of sustainable development goals (SDGs)”.
Prof Nyambe said the 2019 ZAWAFE exhibition would focus on exploring the impact of poor sanitation on water resources and the water supply-chain.
He said the however that the goal of the exhibition would be deliberations aimed at minimizing the loss of life from eater borne diseases arising from water resources contamination due to poor sanitation.
“According to the Zambia National Public Health Institute, the period October 2017-April 2018 Zambia recorded 5, 905 cases and 98deaths due to the cholera outbreak,
“Cholera remains endemic to Zambia due to unsanitary activities like open defecation, poor solid waste disposal and waste water disposal,” he said.
He said that SDG 6 called for availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Prof Nyambe said that the focus would also be placed on issues to do with water security due to climate change and waste management practices.
The areas of focus would include implementation of SDG No. 6 on water in Sub-Saharan Africa, water related policy and legal instruments, evaluating the cost of Cholera and other water borne diseases as well as the role of innovation and technology in the water and sanitation sector.
Prof Nyambe said that the exhibition was open to the general public particularly to practitioners in the water and sanitation sectors, health sector, local government and housing, experts of the environment, climate change experts among others.
ZAWEFA was a forum held annually since 2011 and that brings together various experts, institutions and stakeholders from within Zambia, the SADC region and the broader international community to share knowledge, exchange ideas and network with regards to water resources ,management and development, and water supply.
