EU faults Malawi’s early approach to cholera outbreak

The European Union (EU) delegation has said Malawi would have contained the cholera outbreak had the cases not been treated in isolation at the beginning.

EU Ambassador Rune Skinnebach said this on Thursday in an interview after a meeting between President Lazarus Chakwera and the EU delegation.

“The problem Malawi made was to treat cholera cases in isolation at the very beginning. Of course, it is a shared problem with us development partners but, as a host, Malawi should have been in the forefront,” he said.

Describing the outbreak in Malawi as one of the worst in the world, Skinnebach said the only way out now is to work together and use the available resources effectively.

“We know that the country is now out of vaccines but it is at least still providing treatment to patients. We can make a difference by using the available resources while we development partners help in mobilising more,” he added.

Commenting on his statement, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nancy Tembo said no one expected the cholera situation to escalate as it has done.

“The truth is that cholera has taken everyone unawares because we all expect that the disease shows up around November and by March it’s dying, yet this time, it started in March and no one expected it to continue,” she said.

However, Tembo said government is doing its best to ensure that its citizens are protected from the outbreak and efforts are being made to source more vaccines.

Tembo lashed out at some religious leaders who influence their congregants not to take medical treatment, saying such leaders have contributed  significantly to the current cholera situation.

As of January 26 2023, the accumulated cholera cases were at 31 241, with 1 023 deaths and 1 126 admissions.

On other issues, Skinnebach said the delegation discussed with the President issues surrounding politics and governance, economy, climate change and human rights.

He hailed government for the Malawi 2063 Agenda as the right direction and pledged more support in the fight against corruption.

On her part, Tembo said the meeting was one of which the government and the EU delegation is held twice a year to discuss matters pertaining to their diplomatic relations.