Religious Beliefs Contribute to Rise in Cholera Cases in Country, Warns Deputy Minister of Health

As of Saturday, the Balaka district had recorded over 800 cholera cases, 14 deaths, and over 35 patients currently admitted to the hospital since the first cases were recorded in April 2022.

Malawi: As Deputy Minister of Health, Enock Phale inspected the Balaka district hospital's cholera treatment units, he expressed concern over the seven patients who were treated at the facility after being infected by one patient from a religious camp, writes Racheal Mkotama.

The infected individual had not sought medical treatment due to their religious beliefs.

"In our ministry, we will make sure we mobilize communities to make sure that cholera is well contained," Phale said.

"I am happy that many partners have already joined the fight against the cholera outbreak."

Phale urged all faith leaders to take immediate action and rush any cholera patients they come across to the hospital for medical treatment.

He also praised the hardworking healthcare workers at the Balaka district hospital for helping to reduce the percentage of the disease to less than 1 percent.

"We thank our Islamic partners here in Balaka for helping us," Phale explained. "We can't do it by ourselves to fight this pandemic, we depend on such support."

Phale also disclosed that the government has already begun distributing cholera vaccines to hot spots in the country to reduce the infection rate.

"We have also started pot-to-pot chlorination and we will continue our surveillance to make sure the pandemic is not increasing," he added.

Doctor Leon Lowole, Chairperson of the district rapid response team, stated that the hospital is working in collaboration with government sectors such as the police, education, and non-governmental organizations to end the cholera disease in the district.

"We will make sure that the disease is not overwhelmed by the system, and we are happy that we are able to treat cholera patients at the hospital," said Lowole.

She also urged communities to practice proper hygiene and asked leaders to understand exactly what cholera is and how to prevent it. Lowole added that the hospital will have mobile vans to go into communities and will hold meetings with leaders to teach them about cholera.

As of Saturday, the Balaka district had recorded over 800 cholera cases, 14 deaths, and over 35 patients currently admitted to the hospital since the first cases were recorded in April 2022.

Here is the full interview of Phale: