King urges SADC to combat cholera outbreak
MBABANE – His Majesty the King has called for regional collaboration to combat the cholera outbreak.
In an emergency virtual extraordinary Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit, His Majesty the King commended the chairperson for their competent leadership and emphasised the need for collective action to address the cholera outbreak plaguing the region.
His remarks were delivered by the Prime Minister Russell Dlamini. President João Lourenço of Angola is the Chairperson of SADC.
Expressing gratitude for the proactive efforts of the SADC secretariat in convening the meeting, the King stressed the importance of finding common solutions to improve health and prevent further loss of life.
He stated that the Kingdom of Eswatini welcomed and appreciated the comprehensive report on cholera, while expressing regret over the slow implementation of interventions and recommendations to contain the global outbreak. He extended heartfelt condolences to member States that had suffered deaths due to the outbreak and urged swift action to prevent the further spread of the bacteria and protect the population.
GRATITUDE
The King said that tragically, the news emerged of a citizen of Eswatini who had been pursuing studies in Zambia contracting cholera and subsequently passing away. He expressed gratitude for the co-operation received from the Republic of Zambia and the Republic of South Africa (SA) in facilitating the repatriation of the deceased.
Acknowledging the support of international partners in the fight against cholera, His Majesty expressed gratitude for their pledged assistance to the region.
Notably, the King stated that Eswatini highlighted its own success in containing the disease, recording only two cholera cases in 2023 through a combination of international support and domestic interventions.
He also revealed that Eswatini received crucial technical assistance from the World Health Organisation (WHO) Africa Region Office in effectively responding to cholera.
He said health workers and laboratory personnel at both national and regional levels were trained on diagnosing, isolating and treating cholera patients.
Additionally, he said the country received a stockpile of essential equipment, including cholera beds, spraying kits, testing kits and protective wear to safeguard healthcare personnel against contracting the infectious disease.
He further added that under the guidance of the Africa Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and the WHO Africa Region Office, Eswatini conducted a national simulation exercise (SIMEX) for cholera.