Chakwera talks tough on vandalism

 President Lazarus Chakwera has asked Malawians to desist from vandalising public infrastructure when there is misunderstanding between them and public entities.

He said this yesterday during the launch of Tithetse Kolera Campaign at Mgona Ground after visiting Area 25 Health Centre which was vandalised by angry residents two weeks ago.

Due to the vandalism, government temporarily closed the health facility but yesterday, the President instructed the Ministry of Health to reopen it.

Said Chakwera: “The people who [vandalised the clinic] are few ill-minded individuals but those suffering due to its closure are many, so reopen it immediately to save many innocent lives.”

The President emphasised that the clinic also played a key role in fighting cholera. And the aim of the campaign launched yesterday was to ensure that the country eliminates the disease.

“Our purpose today is to work together to stop the scourge of cholera that is spreading across the country. We have to stop this scourge because it is killing our people. It is robbing us as a nation of productive citizens and robbing families of their loved ones,” said Chakwera.

The President said the launch of the campaign is, therefore, to ensure that everyone across the country gets the message about how to prevent and contain the killer disease.

He called on the media, religious leaders and politicians to do their part in spreading thesemessages.

United Nations Resident coordinator Rebecca Donto congratulated government for launching the campaign, saying it will champion behaviour change regarding hygiene in communities.

“As a development partner, we are doing our part to help government fight cholera and I am glad that government is increasing its efforts in the fight. Today’s launch of this campaign attests to that,” she said.

Among other things, the campaign seeks to increase efforts in the cholera fight, especially through information sharing on sanitation and hygiene as a primary remedy.

Centre for Disease Control coordinator Noor Richie said countries need to work together in fighting pandemics through sharing information and strengthening community engagement.

Since the first case in February 2022 in Machinga District, 42 427 cholera cases have been recorded resulting in 1 384 deaths.