‘Engage chiefs in cholera fight’

Dowa district director of health and social services Peter Makoza says it is important to engage traditional leaders in the fight against the cholera outbreak.

He said this on Wednesday in an interview after an extraordinary full council meeting that sought to orient and update chiefs and councillors on the Tithetse Kolera Campaign.

Makoza said traditional leaders play a significant role in mobilisation and encouraging good habits among communities.

“We want to conduct a door-to-door campaign to send messages on prevention and control of the spread of cholera, to distribute chlorine and encourage people to get vaccinated against Covid-19,” he said.

Makoza, therefore, asked traditional leaders to prepare their subjects for the campaign and relay the message to influence behaviour change.

Traditional Authority Chakhaza said as chiefs they are ready to partner government implement the campaign.

He said: “This is a good development that has come at the right time when almost everyone has been affected by the disease.

“We should also commend the campaign for recognising the role chiefs can play in fighting the outbreak.”

President Lazarus Chakwera launched Tithetse Kolera Campaign on February 14 at Mgona in Lilongwe to accelerate the fight against the outbreak in the country.

As of Wednesday, the district had cumulatively registered 1 275 cholera cases and 38 deaths.