Govt needs K20.6b to fight against Cholera

The government of Malawi through the ministry of health said the country needs about US$ 20.6 million which is tantamount to K20.6 billion for it to fight against Cholera outbreak.

Speaking during the press briefing in Lilongwe on Tuesday, the minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda said the country among others needs about 14.5 billion kwacha to implement the activities in the revised Cholera response plan which is aimed at strengthening rapid detection of cases and sensitive people in the prevention and control of the disease.

“So far, we have received about seven billion (K7 billion) from the donors but we are falling short of 14.5 billion from the estimated 21 billion kwacha.

“This cholera response plan aims at strengthening rapid detection of cases and sensitive people in the prevention and control of the disease. We are just asking the stakeholders to collaborate with us as we are striving to control the disease,” said Chiponda.

Since the confirmation of the first case in Machinga District in March this year, a total of 22 Districts have reported Chilera cases.

According the ministry of health, the outbreak has been controlled in four Districts.

“In the last 14 days, the disease has been reported in 18 Districts, namely Blantyre, Nkhata Bay, Chikwawa, Nkhotakota, Rumphi, Mzimba North, Zomba, Mwanza, Kasungu, Mzimba South, Karonga, Balaka, Nsanje, Ntcheu, Likoma, Chitipa, Neno and Mangochi.

“As of 3rd October 2022, a total of 64 new cases, four new deaths and zero new suspected cases were reported. Five each from Rumphi and Mzimba North, four from Blantyre, three from Mangochi, two from Neno and one from Mwanza. The death were reported each from Mangochi, Nkhotakota, Nkhata Bay, and Blantyre,” reads the statement from the ministry of health.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health said with Support from the partners and the community themselves has put in place measures to prevent and control the outbreak.

Among others, the Ministry has set up treatment centres in all affected areas so that the patients do not travel long distance to access the treatment.