Communities around Paramount Chief Kyungu have applauded the Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) for its concerted effort in the fight against cholera in karonga District.
In an interview with Gedion Msiska who resides in Mchenjere Village under Paramount Chief Kyungu in the district told Atlas Malawi that MRCS intervention towards cholera outbreak has helped their community to reduce the pandemic.
He said that through community sensitization messages about cholera, they are able to live in a health life.
“Officials from MRCS encourage us to have toilets with hand washing facilities, wash our hands after using the toilet with hand washing soap. They also encourage us to keep our surrounding clean and also provide us with chlorine at every fortnight to make sure that we drink safe water”, said Msiska.
According to Harvy Mwabungulu from Mwakabanga Village under Paramount Chief Kyungu commended the Malawi red cross society for the support they are benefiting as people from mchenjere village.
He has then requested MRCS to visit them frequently and render the same support to other people.
“Malawi red cross society should continue supporting us because cholera is a very dangerous disease . please remember us wherever you go because we will always need your support”, said Mwabungulu.
In his remarks, the Disease Control and Surveillance Assistant of Thambo Clinic under Mlare Health Centre, Alwin Chione said that MRCS ‘s intervention in the area is yelding positive results in as far as preventing cholera outbreak is concerned in the district.
“We are working hand in hand with volunteers of Malawi red cross society civic educating the communities about the dangers of the disease”, said Chione.
He added that since January this year, Mchenjere village has registered no cholera case and their aim is to make karonga district free from cholera .
“Last year this community had registered three cases of cholera, but with the coming in of Malawi Red cross society, now this year we have completelly registered zero case because the communities have all the nececities at home”, said chione.
In an interview with the Communication Coordinator of Malawi Red Cross Society, Felix Washon said he is very impressed with the community adherance messages towards cholera prevention.
“we are happy to see that over 90% population in the district we have visited have toilet covers and also have hand washing facilities meaning that they are using the toilets properly. The surrounding of their homes are very well taken cared of interms of hygiene. We are happy to hear that in some areas where cases were registered in the past years this year there is no cases . we hope that this trend is going to continue so that in the nearest future we have cholera free Malawi”, said washon.
Apart from karonga district, the Malawi red cross society is also supporting government in the fight against cholera in Salima,Blantyre, Nsanje and Mangochi.
