Machinga, Balaka move to fight cholera outbreak

Health officials from Machinga and Balaka have brainstormed on how to jointly prevent a cholera outbreak in the two districts from escalating.

Speaking on Saturday during a meeting in Machinga, district director of health and social services Dr. Arnold Kapachika said the two districts agreed on common approaches to address the situation.

The meeting came few days after a cholera case from Balaka was diagnosed at Machinga District Hospital.

Said Kapachika: “We made a follow-up and realised that the patient was from Balaka.

“So, we notified our counterparts and agreed to meet to strategise on how best we can prevent further cases.”

He said the meeting agreed to implement strategies such as promoting safe water supply and sanitation, improving case management and improving disease surveillance, water quality testing and food and market inspection.

Balaka district environmental health officer Blessings Chitsime said it is imperative that the two districts should work together to prevent further outbreaks.

He also suggested that their next meeting will likely involve their Blantyre counterparts as the patient diagnosed with cholera lives in Lirangwe in Blantyre Rural.

Ministry of Health issued a statement on March 3 this year informing the public about the cholera case confirmed at Machinga District Hospital on March 2.

The statement said the patient reported at the facility on February 28.