Medical for Quality Health Care in Zambia has attributed the current rise in cholera cases and deaths across the country to lack of access to basic healthcare in Zambia.
In an interview with Phoenix News, organization Executive Director Quince Mwabu is of the view that had Zambia been working towards sustainable development goal number 6 which focuses on “ensuring access to water and sanitation for all” the country would have been at a better position to combat cholera.
Mr Mwabu explains that access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene are the most basic human needs for health and wellbeing, which should not be a challenge for any household.
He says to address these challenges, government must urgently invest in infrastructure projects that will provide quality drinking water and ensure regular testing of water sources for safety to help scale up readiness and timely response to outbreaks in the long term.
Mr Mwabu says implementing comprehensive measures involving education, access to clean water and sanitation facilities, as well as prompt medical intervention will significantly reduce the impact of the disease going forward.
PHOENIX NEWS