STOPPING CHOLERA

THE closure of Soweto market and banning of street vending may not be politically welcomed but it is a prudent move to save lives.

In any case, this is a temporary measure for a specific period and should not draw concern from any well-meaning citizens.

It would be wrong for Government to ignore the obvious need to take drastic action to stem the rising numbers of fatalities from the cholera pandemic.

The announcement of the closure of Lusaka’s largest market should actually be a relief to traders and customers alike because this will afford health authorities chance to clear dirt and disinfect the place.

The city cannot overlook the fact that street vending generates garbage which clogs drainages and covers open spaces, posing a threat to the public and the environment. We are also cognisant of the fact that street vendors by the nature of the location of their businesses may not have access to toilets and are forced to use unconventional methods to dispose of human waste.

This further contributes to the contamination of the food they sell and it is something that needed to be stopped.

This is also an indication of the serious threat that the capital city faces and which should rightly be fought on all fronts.

It is not enough to stop the sale of ready-to-eat foods when the same was being sold in markets in poor sanitary conditions.

President Edgar Lungu is right to order the defence forces to aid the health personnel in stemming the spread of the disease.

We are aware that the Ministry of Health has banned public gatherings in affected areas but more needed to be done.

The ban needed reinforcement and the presence of security personnel in some of the affected areas, should hinder the public from disobeying the ban.

We are also aware that the defence forces are more likely to work fast in as far as construction of structures to facilitate the provision of clean and safe water to residents is concerned.

It is unfortunate that this is coming during the festive period, but the ban has to be enforced.

It is also gratifying that over 200 volunteers and health workers have been deployed in cholera prone areas.

This is to step up efforts to stop the spread of Cholera which has so far claimed 38 lives.

Cholera, a perennial disease has once again hit Lusaka’s Garden, Chipata, Kanyama and Chawama Townships with health experts predicting that it is likely to spread to other areas.

While efforts are being done to contain the disease, the public too should take seriously preventive measures as advised by health professionals through fliers and other forms of sensitisation programmes.

Prevention methods against cholera include improved sanitation and access to clean water.

Therefore, as the government puts all these measures to stem the spread of cholera, it is up to citizens to ensure personal hygiene of the highest standard.

It is also imperative that even as trading places are being cleaned and disinfected, individuals should also take the pandemic seriously and maintain clean surroundings.

Government efforts alone may not be enough if citizens do not take steps to prevent getting infected with cholera.