By Julius Caleone Mbeŵe

Government says all is set for Malaŵi to host the first-ever high-level emergency ministerial meeting on cholera epidemics, polio and climate-related public health emergencies.

According to a statement released by Health Minister Khumbize Chiponda, the meeting aims at sharing information on the cholera outbreak and response to date among the affected countries.
Reads the statement in part:

“Government of Malawi, with the support of the Africa CDC and the World Health Organisation will be hosting a High-level Emergency Ministerial meeting for cholera-affected countries, those at risk, and relevant regional economic communities, and partners,” said Chiponda.

She said the emergency meeting will highlight proactive preparedness and concerted effort to address climate change impacts like cyclones, and climate change-related health emergencies.

Chiponda said the meeting will strengthen and enhance collaboration and coordination for cross-border preparedness and response to the ongoing cholera outbreak and other health emergencies.

She added that the member states will produce road maps related to cholera and other emerging and re-emerging diseases of regional concern including climate-related emergencies.

“The meeting will be building on existing experiences and previous collaborations within the region and beyond, including the collaborative framework to coordinate cholera outbreak and other public health preparedness and response in member states at risk,” said Chiponda.

The high-level meeting will be attended by the Ministers of Health, Water, and Sanitation from 14 countries within the Africa Region, international organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners.

Vice President Saulos Chilima is expected to grace the meeting as guest of honour which will start on Thursday untill Friday this week.

As of Monday this week, 1612 people have so far died of cholera in Malaŵi since the country registered its first case last year.

The case fatality rate stands at 3.13%.