Don’t be complacent on hygiene - expert
By NATION REPORTER LUSAKA residents should not be complacent and drift to the old ways of indiscriminately disposal of litter and waste, Integrated Community Anti-Litter Initiative (ICALI) chairperson, Pascal Chikumbi, has advised.
In an apparent reference to the closure of the cholera epicentre at Lusaka’s Heroes Stadium following declining cases of the water borne disease, Mr Chikumbi said this was an indication that cholera had been contained.
In a statement to the Daily Nation, Mr Chikumbi cautions residents not to go back to the old ways following this development.
Mr. Chikumbi implored citizens to adhere to proper waste management mechanisms if cholera and other waterborne diseases were to be completely eradicated.
“It is therefore, incumbent upon the people of Zambia to demonstrate the change of mindset from the negative attitude of littering and careless disposal of waste to a positive stride of keeping our surroundings clean.
“Educating each other on the importance of a clean environment and exhibiting responsibility towards paying for collection of every waste generated at household and commercial level is cardinal,” Mr Chikumbi said.
He said ICALI would emulate government on the fight against cholera through partnerships with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Local Government, and Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU).
During the clean-up exercise to contain the cholera epidemic, various stakeholders were involved among them the Defence wings and the corporate world.
Dr. Chilufya recently announced the closure of Heroes stadium as a cholera centre following declining cases of the water-borne disease.