from ADANE BIKILA in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Ethiopia Bureau
ADDIS ABABA, (CAJ News) – NO less than 2 700 people have died from cholera in Africa since the beginning of the year.
This is out of 130 000 cases of the waterborne disease recorded during the period. This represents 60 percent of global reported cases and 93,5 percent of cholera-related deaths.
In response, some 20 African countries affected by cholera convened this week for a high-level virtual meeting, following a call by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and under the leadership of Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia and African Union (AU) Champion on Cholera.
This is seen as a historic demonstration of political resolve and continental unity.
The meeting brought together heads of state and vice-presidents—representing Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Other participants were deputy prime ministers, health ministers as well as ministers of finance, water and sanitation.
Global health partners also participated.
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AU Commission, called for bold leadership and systemic change.
“This crisis demands action at the highest political level. Only through the direct engagement of our Heads of State can we drive the elimination of cholera by 2030,” Youssouf said.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation(WHO), commended the heads of state for their vision and commitment.
“WHO will intensify its support to affected countries through this call to action,” he said.
Leaders committed to operationalising the Continental Incident Management Support Team and building on the successful mpox response to reinforce cross-border surveillance.
At the national level, they pledged to establish Presidential Task Forces on Cholera.
They further emphasized scaling up local vaccine manufacturing, expanding WASH infrastructure, and deepening partnerships with the private sector.
– CAJ News