Kazungula District Commissioner, Elias Siamibila, has called on stakeholders in the district to put their efforts together in preventing the outbreaks of diseases in the area.
Speaking during the epidemic awareness meeting, Mr Siamibila said health problems are cross-cutting issues hence need concerted efforts in combating the same.
He said government departments and other stakeholders in the district should discuss health issues together and find a lasting solution in readiness for any outbreaks such as cholera which has already broken out in Southern Province.
“In case Kazungula records cholera cases, it is not only the responsibility of the health department alone to run around and put measures in place. Every stakeholder has the duty to make any contribution in whichever way,” he said.
Mr Siamibila further said there is need to mobilise resources for epidemic preparedness so that the district can handle cases should there be an outbreak.
The District Commissioner said Heads of Departments should be taking meetings seriously by being present whenever they are called upon.
At the same meeting, Director of Health Services at Kazungula Town Council, Faceroy Nkole said the district hospital has secured a five-bed space in case of any emergency outbreak at the border area.
Dr Nkole said similar preparations are being done in rural health centres dotted within the district.
He said the meeting with stakeholders was necessary so that preparations and prevention measures could be put in place, especially that Southern Province has already recorded cases of cholera.
He also disclosed that a team of public health officers were already in the field to sensitise the community, restaurant and butchery owners about the disease.
“Being a border area, Kazungula is at high risk of having outbreaks of diseases. We need to be on alert all the time and report any suspicious cases being noticed,” Dr Nkole advised.
