By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, May 6, Mana: Amref Health Africa has introduced a four-month Cholera response project in Chitipa District.

Speaking Tuesday when he briefed Chitipa District Health Management Committee and Public Health Emergency Management Committee, Project Manager for Amref Health Africa, responsible for Cholera Response Project Phase 2, Young Samanyika, said the project seeks to prevent future Cholera outbreaks in the district.

Samanyika said the intervention is aligned to Malawi National Cholera Plan (NCP) and the Health Sector Strategic Plan III (HSSP III).

He said, among others, the project aims at enhancing the district's capacity in preparing and handling public health emergencies.

“This project will run for four months but we appreciate that there are also other public priorities such as MPox at the moment and we will take advantage of the resources meant for this project to control MPox,” said Samanyika.

Director of Health and Social Services for Chitipa District Council, Dr. Jollings Kasondo, described the project as timely when the district is struggling with a spate of Cholera outbreaks.

"We are very grateful for this project as it will contribute to enhance disease surveillance,” said Kasondo.

The district has since September 16, 2024   reported 62 Cholera cases with two deaths.

The US$ 100,000 (approximately K175 million) project is funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation through Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and will be implemented in Chitipa and Karonga districts.