Behavioral Change Needed to Combat Cholera – NGO
Ekwaiweni Tafika Youth Organization has embarked on a soap distribution exercise targeting 200 schools in Nkhatabay, Mzimba and Rumphi districts as one way of raising awareness about the cholera epidemic.
The exercise is in response to the Tithetse Cholera (Let’s End Cholera) programme launched in Lilongwe on 13th February this year by His Excellency President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera following the 1384 cholera deaths out of the recorded 42422 cases so far.
The launch of the programme drew the attention of all relevant frontline stakeholders in the fight against the epidemic such as education, clergy, civil rights organisations and the health sector which started with a day long orientation of various group leaders involved in the awareness campaigns.
Speaking in his welcome remarks Ekwaiweni Tafika Youth Organization’s Executive Director, Shupo Kumwenda said the awareness campaign runs concurrently with his organization’s ‘Behavioural Change through Sports Project’ which is one of its major areas of focus in contribution towards attaining Malawi Vision 2063 and the 5th United Nations Sustainable Development Goal.
In her remarks nutrition and health coordinator at Mzimba-North district education office, Rachel Mziya said her sector is pivotal in the fight against the epidemic considering a number of hours schools keep learners.
“Sending cholera awareness messages through our learners is vital in this campaign hence Tafika just like many Frontline workers thought it wise to involve relevant authorities in our ministry,’ said
Midwifery and nursing technician at Ekwendeni Mission Hospital, Ethel Kilembe bemoaned the increase in number of men (males) vulnerable to cholera, “Which shows some gaps in the male domain to prevention measures,” said Kilembe.
The chaplain for Ekwendeni Mission Hospital who is also the Board member for Ekwaiweni Tafika Youth Organization, Reverend Shaddreck Mpama Jere appealed to government and other financiers to assist interventions aimed at eradicating cholera and Covid-19 which have some devastating effects.
Ekwaiweni Tafika Youth Organization’s is implementing a two (2) months Cholera awareness campaign with funding in the excess of K15 million from Formidable Joy of the United States of America.
