The United Nations in Zambia, the Centres for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) and the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) in Zambia have described the Cholera Treatment Hospital which was set up by government at the Heroes Stadium as a good initiative and a massive asset in the on-going cholera response and have also commended government for scaling-up preventive interventions in the community.
This follows a familiarization tour facilitated by the World Health Organization Country Office through the Ministry of Health to enable partners in health obtain an insight into the cholera outbreak response interventions.
The tour was also intended to understand the various needs and challenges in scaling up efforts to end the epidemic.
The District Director of Health for Lusaka, Dr. Namani Monze led the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ms. Janet Rogan, the WHO Representative, Dr. Nathan Bakyaita, the deputy Head of Office of DFID in Zambia, Mr. Andrew Ockenden, Ms. Ruppa Narra from CDC and other officials from the WHO Country Office and UNICEF on a tour of the Cholera Treatment Hospital and a community in Kanyama sub-district which is one of the hardest hit areas.
At the Cholera Treatment Hospital, the Medical Officer in Charge, Dr. Landry Lukisa said that the hospital started operations on 7 January and that it was set up to reduce the morbidity of patients and to improve the treatment operations.
He said the centre had dedicated paediatricians, psychiatrists, physicians, surgeons and obstetricians to manage the cholera patients and that a total of 55 doctors, 100 nurses, 97 in-service student doctors,180 volunteers, 15 environmental health officers, 22 laboratory staff and 14 pharmacists were operating at the hospital.
He said that since the opening of the hospital, there was a reduction in the number of fatalities and that the quality of service was high due to availability of sufficient human resources and good supply of medicines and other supplies.
He said there was a total of 6 ambulances transporting patients to the Cholera Treatment Hospital from the sub-districts including emergency ambulances which were available at the call centre.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator Janet Rogan said that the government’s response to the cholera outbreak was very impressive and that government had taken a good initiative to establish the cholera treatment hospital where people were treated well in a clean environment.
She said that the cholera outbreak was attributed to the circumstances in the compounds as some people had no alternative sources of water apart from shallow wells some of which were located near to the latrines.
Ms Rogan emphasised the importance of preventive measures and sensitization of communities beyond the cholera outbreak and called for strong partnerships with the communities, the government, the UN and other partners. “We have seen the community and the challenges of water and sanitation and where cholera comes from. We don’t want to be sending people to the cholera treatment centres. It is impressive to see people getting clean and safe water from water tanks which have been provided” she said.
The Deputy Head of the Office of DFID in Zambia, Mr. Andrew Ockenden gave credit to government and other partners who were involved in setting up the Cholera Treatment Hospital and said that it was a “massive asset” in the response.
He said that DFID was pleased with the leadership which government had exhibited in the response by bringing the outbreak under control.
He said DFID was working to repurpose its support to government in order to help it set up strong systems that could respond effectively to health emergencies.
The World Health Organization has continued providing the needed support and guidance to ensure that critical interventions are put in place in order to stop the cholera epidemic.
Speaking in Kanyama after the familiarisation tour, the WHO Representative, Dr. Nathan Bakyaita said that it was important for government to have sufficient supplies for cholera in order to sustain the efficiency in the operations at all the cholera treatment centres.
He said good record keeping was key to ensure stocks are always sufficient.
Dr. Bakyaita assured government of continued support from WHO working with other partners.
The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control commended the Ministry of Health for the ensuring that operations at the Cholera Treatment Hospital adhered to recommended guidelines and standards.
Dr. Rupa Narra, a medical epidemiologist from CDC said that the operations were in line with the CDC technical recommendations for case management, Infection Prevention and Control practices, water supply and sanitation and hygiene practices.
Since the cholera outbreak was declared on 6th October 2017, it has affected more than 3,534 people with more than 77 deaths.
Tastes like cheese.lol
Just lost my baby again
Thanks for people that sent me messages I appreciate. Still in Hospital since yesterday.
On cholera I dont think the UN matters – we do it our way
Thanks
BB2014,2016
Would it not have been nice if WHO, CDC and DFID where touring a state of the art facility for treatment of cardiac conditions or a center for research in diseases such as Ebola….but no, they are visiting people who have drank water or eaten food contaminated by fecal matter!! what an embarrassment but Edgar and PF have no shame
No no no no Mushota you can’t keep doing that to baby boys.
Thank You ECL.
.i have an untraceable poison for Necklace since he is expecting to be poisoned.
This Kalaba won’t like
Sorry about your loss, Mushota. Get well already.
Zambia has no good leadership at all! Mr EC.Lungu has failed the people of zambia
In fact it is better the UN charge him for gross negligence. How can you allow cholera in a country such as ours.
Such comments are NOT what HH would want to hear from an UN Official. He would have loved more condemnation
Bushe can’t you just comment without mentioning HH? There is no one who is rejoicing over the unfortunate Cholera deaths except the devil.Do you think Cholera was tribalistic or segregative in infecting its victims?
Don’t try to sway people’s attention.pf messed up big time in the handling of the epidemic.Thye will take that negative stain wherever they go.
HH will never be president of Zambia. It is written and cast on unerasable stone.
Ni Zambia ya nyoko?
Its not the vaccine that Zambia needs to exterminate the cholera and keep the epidemic in check. This was a wake up call to have a serious look at having planned and serviced settlements, promotion of hygienic and improved sanitation. What good is the vaccine if people continue to live in squalid conditions??? Vaccination provides a “band – aid” solution to the problem whose long term solution lies in mere cleanliness and basic hygiene.
Good to see that things can work when everyone puts their shoulders to the wheel.
Now that people are more aware of the conditions that led to this epidemic, hopefully we will begin to see a change of mindset in the country. The Ministry of Health should also make sure that every household, vendors inclusive adhere to safety guidelines.
While vaccination is costly and controversial, prevention is quite easy and less expensive.
There’s an audio going about claiming that Lungu has received kickbacks for the vaccine to be used on Zambians as guinea pigs. I was very disappointed when I saw a friend of mine salivating on hearing this audio. He believed every word of it.
Internet is full of hype. Don’t believe the hype.
@Ndanje Khakis rumour mongering has become the trade mark of aome parties. They are busy manufacturing lies day and night
That is because of the stance taken by statehouse of not responding to accusations……lungu is the only leader in the world who does not deny that he is a corrupt theif…
Let’s be proactive instead of panicking like witnessed recently.
We should be getting high accolades for being cleanest like Kigali Rwanda not empty commendation for halting cholera.That’s a very very low bar.
Why are these people queuing up for Gates vacines? Why would anyone take them?
@Jay Jay, because they have been told to do so. Don’t underestimate the Zambian’s answer to the katekas’ call.
we are being inspected,and our government will feel they have passed with flying colors,what a joke…
Lol ,Enka @8 is very right on that.Sad that we’re being commended for a score of D- grade rather than being noted and admired as achievers of A+ grade.