In response to the ongoing cholera outbreak affecting five member states, Health Ministers from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) convened over the weekend to assess the situation and devise comprehensive strategies for prevention and control.
The virtual meeting of the SADC Council of Ministers on Monday emphasized the importance of addressing underlying factors driving the cholera outbreak, with a particular focus on the impact of climate change.
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Mr. Elias Magosi, the Executive Secretary of SADC, commended member states for their efforts to contain the outbreak and their collaborative approaches.
He acknowledged the support of key partners such as the Africa CDC, WHO, UNICEF Welfare Programme, and others, highlighting their commitment to assisting in the elimination of cholera in the region.
Magosi stressed the need to incorporate climate-sensitive health issues into national climate adaptation plans to mitigate the impact of cholera.
He emphasized the importance of a multi-sectoral approach to address the root causes of the outbreak.
Angola’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairperson of the SADC Council of Ministers, Honourable Tete Antonio, emphasized the necessity of a coordinated regional response.
He called for collective action to prevent and control cholera, acknowledging that the disease knows no borders. Antonio urged SADC member states to prioritize investments in health infrastructure and promote and protect health for the creation of healthier communities and sustainable development.
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Acting Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Professor Amon Murwira, shared Zimbabwe’s initiatives to combat the epidemic, including the launch of a national oral cholera vaccine program.
The efforts of member states will be deliberated further during a virtual meeting of SADC Heads of State and Government on Friday.
The summit aims to consolidate strategies to curb the spread of cholera and address potential future pandemics, building on the region’s successful responses to health challenges like HIV/AIDS and COVID-19.
