Africa-Press – Malawi. United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef) Malawi has ordered additional medical supplies worth over $1.2 million (about K1.2 billion) to help the government contain cholera.
So far, Oxfam has provided health, water, sanitation and hygiene services (Wash) valued at over $470,000. “More supplies worth about $1.2 million have been ordered and will arrive in the country soon,” a statement posted on Unicef Malawi page reads.
According to the organisation, lack of adequate cholera supplies essential to providing quality healthcare in treatment units is an ongoing challenge in the country.
By Saturday last week, the cumulative number of cholera cases, since the first case was reported in March last year, was 41,900 while 972 were admitted to treatment units.
The cumulative number of deaths was 1,368, with 13 patients losing their lives within 24 hours on the day. Health Minister Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda indicated that out of all the 29 affected districts, Mangochi has reported most cases, pegged at 7,511, with 121 deaths.
She added that the ministry is concerned that some sections of the society fail to understand the importance of following the recommended practice of burying people that die of cholera.
“The aim of these measures is to reduce [the] further spread of the disease. Unfortunately, such misunderstanding has led to some communities harming our hardworking health workers and destroying health facilities,” she said.
The minister added that fear and misinformation on disease outbreaks are rampant in the country, leading to high levels of distrust and hostility towards healthcare workers.
Early this month, some irate community members of Mgona in Lilongwe wreaked havoc and vandalised Area 25 Health Centre, blaming healthcare workers for the death of one of them.
The individual in question was diagnosed with cholera. Meanwhile, the National Organisation for Nurses and Midwives has called for enhanced security for its members as cholera rages.
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