"Cholera Outbreak in Nsanje: It's Not Too Late to Get Vaccinated!"
The call to action was made by Senior Group Village Headman Annie Petrol during an awareness campaign organized by the Development Communication Trust (DCT)
Nsanje, Malawi - In an effort to combat the recurring problem of cholera outbreaks in the area, residents of Traditional Authority Mbenje in Nsanje have been encouraged to take advantage of the upcoming Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) campaign, writes Cornelius Lupenga.
The call to action was made by Senior Group Village Headman Annie Petrol during an awareness campaign organized by the Development Communication Trust (DCT) at Sorgin Community Ground on Saturday.
Senior Group Village Headman Annie Petrol highlighted the vulnerability of Sorgin Trading Centre and its surrounding areas to waterborne diseases like cholera, often attributed to people from neighbouring Chikwawa and Mozambique.
"Let us take advantage of the oral vaccination exercise scheduled to run from August 28th to September 1st, 2023, to receive the vaccine within our localities," urged the senior traditional leader.
SGVH Annie Petrol commended the efforts of DCT for organising a Soccer Bonanza event, which attracted more people from the surrounding areas, including some from Chikwawa.
Expressing concern over the escalating cholera cases, Senior Health Surveillance Assistant (SHSA) Josephy Jackson at Sorgin Health Centre revealed alarming statistics.
He noted that this year alone, Sorgin Health Centre recorded 114 cases of cholera, a sharp increase from the 14 cases reported in 2022.
"Of the recorded cases, 98 were from Chikwawa, while 14 were from Mozambique. Unfortunately, the 98 cases from Chikwawa had not received any vaccination," stated Josephy Jackson.
He emphasised that, while vaccination is beneficial, it is not a foolproof prevention method.
Communities must also prioritise the construction and use of proper sanitation facilities, such as toilets. Additionally, maintaining good hygiene practises, like handwashing after using the toilet, is crucial.
During halftime at the soccer match held as part of the awareness campaign, health authorities from Sorgin Health Centre took the opportunity to perform mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) measurements on children under the age of five.
A total of 116 children (62 males and 54 females) were registered for this health assessment.
In the soccer match, Nyamitalala Football Club emerged victorious by defeating the Black Mambas by a score of 1-0. As a gesture of support, the Development Communication Trust provided each team with a soccer ball.
The oral cholera vaccination campaign aims to reduce the risk of cholera outbreaks in the region and promote community health and hygiene practices.