Ministers lay out cholera elimination strategy
Malawi and other African countries have agreed a five-point cholera elimination strategy which approves establishment of a continental task force.
In a joint communiqué issued on Friday after a two-day High-Level Emergency Ministerial Meeting in Lilongwe, the countries have also agreed to strengthen coordination among various segments, including the climate sector.
This, they say, will enhance the implementation of measures aimed at reducing health risks of climate sensitive diseases.
The meeting, attended by delegates from 14 African countries and health organisations, was organised as Malawi battles against the worst cholera outbreak in decades. At least 12 other countries have also reported cases.
On establishing the Africa Elimination of Cholera Epidemics Coordination Task Force (Aecect), the communiqué said: “While the Aecect maintains political oversight through the Africa Union institutional arrangements, the Global Task Force on Cholera will facilitate technical support through the World Health Organisation technical coordination platforms.”
The Aecect will be working in collaboration with Africa Centres for Disease Control, Unicef and relevant partners.
The communiqué stated that exchanging information “in a timely manner” will enhance prevention, preparedness and response to epidemics.
However, it warned that “withholding of, or falsification of, public health emergency data and information violates the International Human Rights and threatens peace, security, and prosperity of the AU Member States.”
Meanwhile, Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo-Chiponda has hailed the resolutions as carrying potential to help the country tackle cholera epidemics.
“As African countries, we need to work together and our systems and responses need to be talking to each other,” she said.
The African Union Commission, World Health Organisation and Unicef organised the ministerial meeting which sought to offer a platform for countries to strengthen collaboration on cross-border preparedness and response to the on-going cholera outbreak and climate related health emergencies
