Karonga DHO appeals for support to contain cholera

Karonga District Health Office has appealed for support in terms of oral dehydration salts, chlorine and intravenous fluids to match the high demand following the high rate of cholera cases.

Karonga district director of health and social services David Sibale made the call on Thursday when Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda and Minister of Local Government Blessings Chinsinga visited Karonga District Hospital to assess the cholera situation in the district.

He said: “So far, we have recorded 494 cases since August 31 2022 when the first case was registered in the district.

“We are in need of medical supplies to supplement our own interventions which include engaging community leaders and establishing case management centres in cholera hotpots.”

In response, Chiponda said government will roll out a cholera vaccination campaignto contain the outbreak in the country.

She said: “We are sourcing two million doses of cholera vaccines that we expect to be in the country in two weeks.

“We will prioritise lakeshore districts, which are the hardest hit areas. We have also bought intravenous  fluids worth K200 million to be distributed in hospitals together with chlorine.”

Chiponda commended Malawi Red Cross Society for implementing cholera interventions in the district.

On his part, Chinsinga asked for collaboration to fight the spread of cholera.

Malawi Red Cross Society secretary general McBain Kanongaza said they have mobilised K380 million to support social mobilisation to communicate to the public on what cholera is about and how we can prevent it.

“We have also donated chlorine and tents to health centres in 13 districts,” he said.

As of Friday, Karonga district had cumulatively registered 507 cholera cases and 10 deaths.