SADC Strengthens Strategy To Combat Cholera Outbreak In Southern Africa

Date : 2024-12-16

Published in Healthcare

"Highlights
The SADC Summit emphasised the urgency of implementing a multisectoral response plan to address the cholera outbreak, recognising the importance of collaboration across various sectors.
Climate change exacerbates the cholera crisis in the SADC region, underscoring the need for proactive measures to strengthen water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure and disaster risk reduction strategies.

The SADC Secretariat, under the leadership of Angolan President Joao Lourenco, held a summit to discuss the cholera outbreak in the region. President Lourenco highlighted the progress made and challenges faced in combating the outbreak.
The SADC Council of Ministers held a digital meeting on January 29th, 2024, focusing on prevention and management strategies. During the session, they reviewed a report from the SADC Ministers of Health meeting held on January 27th, 2024, which outlines the cholera situation and the region's readiness and response to outbreaks. Five SADC nations, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania, have reported cholera outbreaks since the previous year, collectively accounting for 73% of all cases in Africa.
At a virtual Summit of Heads of State and Government, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa suggested that SADC member nations like Tanzania should adopt integrated measures and a multisectoral strategy, including water sector and urban planning, to develop a long-term solution to cholera and other epidemic illnesses.

Mr. Majaliwa, emphasised the responsibility of society and citizens to take precautions and understand global water, sanitation, and hygiene issues for personal benefit. He also recommended enhancing infrastructure and accessibility to sanitary facilities as well as clean water in communities to effectively contain the outbreak and ensure a safe environment for all.

The meeting was attended by Health Minister Ummy Mwalimu, Water Minister Jumaa Aweso, and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mbarouk Nassor Mbarouk. Additionally, presidents such as Mr Phillipe Nyusi (Mozambique), Mr Lazarus Chakwera (Malawi), Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa (Zimbabwe), Haikande Hichelema (Zambia), and Felix Tshisekedi (DRC) attended the summit, along with representatives from south Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, the Seychelles, and Madagascar.

From January 2023 to January 2024, 19 African Union Member States reported 252,934 cases and 4,187 deaths, with over 72.5% of cases originating from the SADC region.

Climate change has worsened the cholera crisis in the SADC region. According to climate forecasts an increased chances of normal to above-normal rainfall was likely in several countries between December 2023 and February 2024.

Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, underlined the need for a multisectoral approach to eradicate cholera.
The WHO (AFRO) cholera readiness survey revealed limited capacity in SADC countries' water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure. It highlighted an urgent need for increased investments in cholera preparedness and readiness.





Recommendations for Action
The SADC region's Heads of State and Governments unanimously agreed on recommendations as well as actions to address the cholera outbreak.
Develop and implement multi sectoral response plan considering natural disasters along with climate effect
Strengthen regional collaboration for cross-border outbreak risk assessment and public health surveillance
Jointly plan and implement synchronised cross-border cholera vaccination campaigns
Increase investment in current cholera emergency response and long-term sustainable solutions
Implementation of climate-resilient WASH and Disaster Risk Reduction programmes
Acceleration of cholera vaccine manufacturing for improved supply chain security and technology transfer
Increased investment in WASH infrastructure for efficient waste management and sustainable water supply
Increased budget allocation for WASH Programmes
Strengthening accountability tools for monitoring WASH interventions and local government reporting

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