By EPN Reporter
MBABANE – Eswatini’s readiness to fight cholera is at 72 percent.
This was said by Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini today during the Virtual Extra Ordinary SADC Summit on Cholera Outbreak. The meeting was convened amid the outbreak of cholera, which has left devastating effects in the SADC region, with Zambia and Zimbabwe recording the highest deaths.
Eswatini has still not recorded any death within Eswatini. However, the unfortunate news is that a certain Liswati contracted the disease while in Zambia and eventually succumbed to death. The country is working in collaboration with Zambia and South Africa for the repatriation of the deceased’s body into the country.
Speaking during the virtual meeting, Dlamini said the 72 percent was a result of a national simulation that was conducted by the country last year. “Eswatini with the assistance from Africa Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and WHO Africa Region Office conducted a national simulation (SIMEX) for cholera and it placed us at 72% in terms of readiness for this epidemic,” Dlamini said.
The premier said Eswatini recorded only two cholera cases in 2023 and the country had been able to contain the bacteria through support from International Partners, as well as other interventions. He informed the meeting that Eswatini received Technical Assistance from the World Health Organisation (WHO) Africa region office on cholera response.
He said health workers, together with laboratory personnel at national and regional levels, were trained on how to diagnose, isolate and treat cholera patients. “We also received a stock pile of equipment for cholera use which includes cholera beds, spraying kits, testing kits and protective wear to protect our health personnel from contracting this infectious disease,” Dlamini said.
According to the premier, the country has currently embarked on an exercise to assess the extent of health facility readiness. Eswatini, according to the PM, had also procured medicine, through emergency procurement. He added that they were cognisant of the fact that even though the country had no recorded cases as yet in 2024, it remained at risk and therefore, a regional approach to fighting cholera was welcomed and supported.
The prime minister said the country was fully behind the appointment of Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema, as the SADC cholera champion. “We support the appointment of His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema as the regional cholera champion to spearhead the fight against cholera in the region. We do believe in your leadership and the experience amassed by your country in the fight against cholera, we will successfully eliminate this epidemic in the region,” Dlamini said.
He thanked the SADC leaders for finding it necessary to hastily convene the meeting, as the cholera outbreak needed urgent intervention from the countries concerned. He said the proactiveness by the SADC leaders needed to be appreciated and encouraged.
