Africa-Press – Mozambique. The heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) recommended, this Friday, the implementation of multisectoral cholera response plans that encompass the effects of natural and climate disasters on the resurgence of the disease.
According to the final communiqué of an extraordinary summit of the organization, in virtual format, the proposed multisectoral plans must guarantee effective control of the spread of the disease in the Member States.
The meeting chaired by the acting president of SADC, João Lourenço, also recommended the joint execution of synchronized cross-border vaccination campaigns against cholera, whenever necessary, and the acquisition of vaccines for affected and non-affected countries at risk.
Since January 2023, the SADC region has been plagued by a cholera outbreak, with cases recorded, until last Sunday, in five countries (Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo).
For this reason, the community’s Member States decided to strengthen regional collaboration in the areas of cross-border outbreak risk assessment and public health surveillance in order to improve early detection and prevention of diseases.
They also advocated increased investment in the current cholera emergency response to ensure a sustainable solution to the recurrent cholera crisis, as well as the creation of climate-resilient water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programs and disaster risk, aiming to prevent future outbreaks.
According to the document, SADC heads of state and government recommended accelerating local and regional production of cholera vaccines, to increase production and improve access to basic products, such as oral rehydration solutions and beds. for treating the disease.
The objective is to improve control over the security of the supply chain and accelerate the transfer of technologies and knowledge, says the note from this Friday’s extraordinary session.
During the meeting, participants also approved the strengthening of accountability tools to monitor interventions, with local governments expected to present annual reports on their performance in this area.
On the other hand, they expressed their heartfelt condolences and solidarity with the countries and families mourning the loss of human life caused by the cholera outbreak.
They congratulated international cooperation partners, namely CDC Africa, WHO, UNICEF and WFP, for the technical and financial support provided to support the response to cholera in the region.
The summit appointed the President of the Republic of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, “Regional Champion of the Fight Against Cholera”, to lead efforts to combat this disease in the SADC region.
He expressed his appreciation to the acting president of SADC, João Lourenço, for hosting the extraordinary session of the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government on Cholera.
For his part, Joáo Lourenço expressed his gratitude to all his regional counterparts for participating in the meeting and for their firm commitment to guaranteeing the health and well-being of the people of the region.
Created in 1992, SADC is an inter-governmental organization dedicated to cooperation and socio-economic integration in the region, as well as cooperation in matters of politics and security.
SADC includes Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, eSwatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
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