Chiefs applaud Covid, cholera integration

 Chiefs have applauded the integrated fight against cholera and Covid-19, saying it is helping to prevent the spread of the two diseases as well as promoting accessibility to the Covid-19 vaccines.

The Ministry of Health is implementing the project in collaboration with Unicef as part of the Tithetse Kolera m’Malawi campaign, officially launched by President Lazarus Chakwera last month in Lilongwe.

Speaking in an interview on Wednesday during a media tour on cholera organised by Unicef, Senior Chief Chikumbu of Mulanje said the integration has allowed traditional leaders, who are part of the campaign, to reach more citizens with both cholera and Covid-19 messages at once.

“Myths and misconceptions surrounded these diseases which contributed to their rapid spread. I took Covid-19 vaccine in the early days of the pandemic together with other 58 traditional leaders under my jurisdiction,” she said.

Group village head Kalanga from Traditional Authority Lundu in Blantyre held the collaboration between traditional leaders and health workers in the fight against the two diseases.

“As chiefs, we are helping in promoting sanitation and hygiene and making sure chlorine is being distributed in communities,” he said.

Both Blantyre district chief preventive health officer Penjani Chunda and Namphungo Health Centre medical technician Alexus Ntakati said the integration has helped in ensuring proper resource allocation to fight misconceptions affecting both diseases.

Both Covid-19 and cholera are linked to hygiene and sanitation