BRITISH High Commissioner to Zambia Nicholas Woolley yesterday commended President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership and his administration in the fight against the cholera pandemic and for bringing the disease under control.
Mr Woolley, who also recognised the dedication of healthcare workers in all affected districts and the very fast vaccine roll-out, said President Hichilema’s administration has displayed commendable leadership in tackling the cholera pandemic.
The Government has indeed demonstrated great leadership, fortitude and resilience in the face of one of the worst cholera outbreaks ever to ravage this country. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the Government has implemented various strategies and initiatives to address it.
Education, sanitation, and access to clean water have been at the centre of the Government’s response to the pandemic.
In addition to providing clean water to cholera hotspots, the Government has run public awareness campaigns and partnered with local communities to promote hygiene practices.
While demonstrating appreciable levels of transparency and accountability in managing the cholera crisis by providing regular updates and information to the public and thus fostering an environment of open communication that has enabled citizens to stay informed and engaged in the ongoing efforts to combat the outbreak, the Government has collaborated with international organisations and partners in augmenting the country’s response to the pandemic.
As a result of these collective measures, President Hichilema’s leadership and his administration’s proactive response have yielded tangible results in the fight against cholera. The decline in the number of reported cases and the containment of the outbreak shows the effectiveness of the Government’s strategies and the
dedication of all those involved in the response efforts.
In light of these accomplishments, it is essential to acknowledge and commend President Hichilema and his administration for their exemplary leadership in addressing the cholera crisis.
As Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Gary Nkombo stated in his remarks when Mr Woolley paid him a courtesy call yesterday, the Government is not content to end the current epidemic, but is working to ensure that the factors that have led to cholera outbreaks over the years are completely eliminated in order to prevent future outbreaks.
Of particular note is the Government’s plan to establish well-planned, modern settlements on the outskirts of the city of Lusaka where people displaced from unplanned settlements as the Government remodels them would be relocated to.
Another noteworthy milestone is President Hichilema’s directive that all shallow wells in Lusaka should be buried.
It is a well-known fact that these shallow wells, in times of floods, have been exposed to excrement from pit latrines and have been at the centre of cholera pandemics over the years.
The removal of street vendors from the streets of our major towns and cities in August last year is yet another measure that will go a long way in stemming the cholera crisis over the long term. The town centre and other undesignated trading areas that were swarming with street vendors do not have adequate sanitation and water infrastructure and waste disposal facilities to cater to the street vendors and their ‘customers’.
The resolve and efficacy demonstrated by the Government in combating the cholera pandemic is indeed commendable.
President Hichilema’s administration has laid a solid groundwork for progress, and it is incumbent upon all stakeholders to sustain the momentum and drive meaningful, lasting change insofar as public health is concerned.
Government’s anti-cholera measures commendable
BRITISH High Commissioner to Zambia Nicholas Woolley yesterday commended President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership and his administration in the fight against the cholera pandemic and for bringing the disease under control.
Mr Woolley, who also recognised the dedication of healthcare workers in all affected districts and the very fast vaccine roll-out, said President Hichilema’s administration has displayed commendable leadership in tackling the cholera pandemic.
The Government has indeed demonstrated great leadership, fortitude and resilience in the face of one of the worst cholera outbreaks ever to ravage this country. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the Government has implemented various strategies and initiatives to address it.
Education, sanitation, and access to clean water have been at the centre of the Government’s response to the pandemic.
In addition to providing clean water to cholera hotspots, the Government has run public awareness campaigns and partnered with local communities to promote hygiene practices.
While demonstrating appreciable levels of transparency and accountability in managing the cholera crisis by providing regular updates and information to the public and thus fostering an environment of open communication that has enabled citizens to stay informed and engaged in the ongoing efforts to combat the outbreak, the Government has collaborated with international organisations and partners in augmenting the country’s response to the pandemic.
As a result of these collective measures, President Hichilema’s leadership and his administration’s proactive response have yielded tangible results in the fight against cholera. The decline in the number of reported cases and the containment of the outbreak shows the effectiveness of the Government’s strategies and the
dedication of all those involved in the response efforts.
In light of these accomplishments, it is essential to acknowledge and commend President Hichilema and his administration for their exemplary leadership in addressing the cholera crisis.
As Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Gary Nkombo stated in his remarks when Mr Woolley paid him a courtesy call yesterday, the Government is not content to end the current epidemic, but is working to ensure that the factors that have led to cholera outbreaks over the years are completely eliminated in order to prevent future outbreaks.
Of particular note is the Government’s plan to establish well-planned, modern settlements on the outskirts of the city of Lusaka where people displaced from unplanned settlements as the Government remodels them would be relocated to.
Another noteworthy milestone is President Hichilema’s directive that all shallow wells in Lusaka should be buried.
It is a well-known fact that these shallow wells, in times of floods, have been exposed to excrement from pit latrines and have been at the centre of cholera pandemics over the years.
The removal of street vendors from the streets of our major towns and cities in August last year is yet another measure that will go a long way in stemming the cholera crisis over the long term. The town centre and other undesignated trading areas that were swarming with street vendors do not have adequate sanitation and water infrastructure and waste disposal facilities to cater to the street vendors and their ‘customers’.
The resolve and efficacy demonstrated by the Government in combating the cholera pandemic is indeed commendable.
President Hichilema’s administration has laid a solid groundwork for progress, and it is incumbent upon all stakeholders to sustain the momentum and drive meaningful, lasting change insofar as public health is concerned.