Lusaka Mayor Takes Urgent Measures as Cholera Cases Surge
The Lusaka City Council (LCC) has announced emergency measures, including the burial of all shallow wells across the city, In response to the escalating cholera outbreak in Lusaka. The decision comes as the daily cholera cases continue to rise, with Lusaka being the most affected district in the country.
Lusaka City Mayor, Ms. Chilando Chitangala, disclosed this directive during the 4th Ordinary Full Council meeting on Wednesday, January 3rd, 2024. She emphasized that shallow wells are identified as a significant source of contamination, posing a severe health risk to residents.
In light of this, she has instructed all councillors to collaborate with the Council, community leaders, and health workers to identify active shallow wells in their respective wards for immediate burial.
Ms. Chitangala stressed the urgency of addressing the cholera outbreak with utmost attention to curb further spread. “The numbers being recorded are alarming, and as such, we need to do everything possible to curb its further spread,” she asserted.
Furthermore, the Mayor highlighted the need for water bowsers in areas facing erratic water supply, such as Matero, Kanyama, Munali, and Mandevu Constituencies.
She identified the lack of clean and safe water as a contributing factor to the cholera outbreak, and the council is working with stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health and the Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company (LWSC), to address the issue.
Ms. Chitangala urged residents to boil their water before consumption, practice good hygiene and sanitation, avoid consuming street food, and frequently wash their hands with soap and water.
Meanwhile, the Acting Lusaka City Council Town Clerk, Engineer Liftery Ndaba, announced that Heroes Stadium has been designated as a Cholera Centre and is ready to cater to patients.
He also revealed that the Council has deployed Constituency Development Fund (CDF) vehicles to epicenters for responding to cholera cases.
Mr. Ndaba called on cooperating partners to contribute items such as chlorine, disinfectants, gloves, soap, and other essentials to aid in the fight against cholera.
He expressed gratitude to the government and other stakeholders for their resilience and support in combating the cholera outbreak.
