Dr. Fred M’membe, President of the Opposition Socialist Party in Zambia, has issued an appeal to President Hakainde Hichilema, urging the declaration of a public health emergency in response to the escalating cholera outbreak in Lusaka and other regions. Dr. M’membe’s statement, marked by urgency and concern, comes at a juncture as the nation grapples with the ramifications of the cholera epidemic on its healthcare system.
Dr. M’membe highlighted the severe strain the cholera outbreak has placed on the country’s healthcare infrastructure. In his words, “The health staff is overstretched. The infrastructure is inadequate, and medical supplies are not enough.” This pointed critique by Dr. M’membe leaves little room for misinterpretation: the situation is dire and necessitates immediate action.The core of Dr. M’membe’s argument revolves around invoking sections 36 and 37 of the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) Act. This action, he asserts, would empower President Hichilema to mobilize military resources for a civil emergency of this nature. “It has been done before during the 2017/18 cholera outbreak,” Dr. M’membe reminded, highlighting the precedent for such measures. He also emphasized that this provision would unlock additional resources from the treasury, crucial for tackling the emergency effectively.
Dr. M’membe stressed the importance of the government’s decision-making in prompting international and local partners to assist. “This is the provision that moves the international community and cooperating partners to assist in mobilizing resources to support the cause,” he stated, indicating the pivotal role of government action in securing external support.
In addition to Dr. M’membe’s statements, the former Health Minister of Zambia also contributed a detailed plan to combat the cholera outbreak. He suggested that the nation is confronted with a ferocious public health enemy and the death toll is unacceptably high. “Let’s step up cholera interventions!” he urged, commiseratingwith families who lost loved ones and saluting the fallen nurse warrior who succumbed at the frontline.
Source: Lusakatimes
