SIMON MUNTEMBA writes
@SunZambian
THE continued outbreak of cholera requires urgent and long-term interventions from various stakeholders, says Zambia Institute of Environmental Health (ZIEH).
In a statement, ZIEH secretary general, Collins Siame called for holistic approach in combatting cholera, a disease that has continued to devastate Zambia with the latest being Mpulungu district in Northern Province.
Mr Siame said the institute was concerned with the continued outbreak of the disease and that required urgent and long-term interventions.
He said ZIEH was aware that Zambia had launched a multi sectoral cholera elimination plan 2019-2025 which was aimed at reducing deaths as a result of the disease by 2025.
Mr Siame however, felt that other interventions must include among others adherence to rural and urban planning regulations by all institutions involved in Planning.
By combatting unplanned settlements, he said, government would easily provide water and sanitation services to the people.
He said there was also need for enhanced financial support towards Solid Waste Management activities to be spearheaded by Environmental Health Practitioners (the EHT’s and EHO’s) in Zambia.
He said government should also ensure that environmental health practitioners were given key roles to play in implementing activities of the ‘Keep Zambia Clean, Green and Healthy’ campaign.
Mr Siame said capacity building for environmental health practitioners in matters of disease prevention, rehabilitation of the environment and promotion of health services were needed for continued health education and promotion topics in the media.
“The Institute however, appreciates the combined efforts of the Ministries of Health and Local Government and Environmental Health Practitioners among other Professionals in Mpulungu and Mbala Districts in managing the cholera outbreak.
“Health Minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya, his Local Government Counterpart Vincent and the Disaster Management Mitigation Unit must be commended for their leadership and prompt response to the Cholera outbreak,” he said.
He said the institute in collaboration with Eden University and Nvumabaranda public health services have visited the cholera affected areas to offer support to the hardworking ladies and Gentlemen involved in combating the outbreak in Mpulungu and donated assorted logistics among them gloves, granular chlorine, liquid chlorine and other disinfectants to supplement Government efforts.
He implored practitioners in Zambia to continue working hard and double their efforts in the provision of better environmental health services to the people of Zambia.
