People tipped on cholera prevention

National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust has urged people at Zalewa Trading Centre in Neno District to embrace good sanitation and hygienic practices to prevent cholera.

Neno Trust civic education officer Wallace Kudzala said this on Saturday at Zalewa during a meeting with religious leaders to discuss how to contain the cholera outbreak.

He said Nice engaged the religious leaders to influence a mindset change among their followers to start adhering to cholera preventive measures.

“Our organisation is engaging various stakeholders on mindset change in the fight against cholera outbreak as an enabler of Malawi 2063, the country’s long term development plan.

“Through the stakeholders, we want people to embrace sanitation and hygiene so they live healthy lives to help contribute towards the achievement of Malawi 2063.”

However, during the discussions, the religious leaders condemned improper disposal of condoms.

One of the religious leaders, Henry Chizuzu, said: “We are very worried with this behaviour because the used condoms are being washed together with some waste to Chinyazi River which is a source of drinking water for many communities.”

Bishop Patrick Masula asked the meeting to find solutions to the problem.

In her remarks, Zalewa Health Centre assistant environmental health officer Grace Phungulume also expressed concern with the poor disposal of condoms.

She said: “As Zalewa we are not spared from the outbreak. Since the outbreak, we have registered 200 cases and two deaths.

“Now, to hear that people are dumping condoms and waste anyhow, it is not acceptable.”

Nice held the meeting with funding from the Malawi Government.