Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda has deplored reports that some cholera patients are refraining from seeking healthcare services due to various reasons, including religious beliefs.

The minister, who is co-chairperson of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 and Cholera, said in a statement on Saturday that local leaders, including chiefs, bloc and religious leaders as well as community policing structures should promptly report to authorities anyone hiding or preventing people with cholera signs and symptoms from seeking healthcare services.

Chiponda: We have a critical role

“Unfortunately, this [the beliefs] has led to productive citizens losing their lives, yet this could have been avoided if they were brought to care early in our facilities. As bloc leaders and chiefs, we have a critical role to play in the fight against cholera,” said Chiponda.

The minister’s reaction comes against the background of reports about a school girl who died of cholera in Chilomoni Township, Blantyre after her parents allegedly refused to take her to the hospital as doing so would be in conflict with their religious beliefs.

Meanwhile, Blantyre City Council on Sunday temporarily closed Limbe Market and bus depot for a chlorination exercise following rising numbers of cholera cases around the area.

Health officials also provided cholera vaccines around the streets near Limbe Market and Limbe Bus Depot.

A child gets a dose of the oral cholera vaccine

On December 18 2022, the council banned the sale and distribution of foodstuffs such as fritters, doughnuts, cooked cassava, cooked potato, chips, cooked and roasted maize, cooked and roasted meat, traditional sweet beer, salads, drinking water packaged by unlicenced producers and any cooked foods prepared and distributed at mass gatherings.

A Ministry of Health update for December 31 2022 showed that the country reported 464 new cases and 19 new deaths, bringing the total number of cases and deaths to 17 448 and 576, respectively.

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