On 12 September 2022, YONECO Helpline Counsellors conducted sensitization campaigns on prevention of cholera disease in the area of Village Head Thom Allan, Traditional Authority (T/A) Mwambo in Zomba district.
In her remarks, the Shift Supervisor for Tithandizane Helpline Services – Triza Chimasula, explained that her office organized the community sensitization sessions to ensure that community members are able to prevent the disease. Chimasula explained that most community members have inadequate information about cholera prevention hence it may be hard to contain it.
“There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding cholera so much that many people have ended up with a low risk perception while many others believe that it is hard to prevent the disease,” explained Chimasula.
In his remarks, Village Head Thom Allan urged all men in his area to actively participate in cholera prevention activities. The traditional leader expressed his worry over a tendency by most men in the area whom he said are good at abdicating their responsibilities and expect women to do everything on their behalf.
Zomba is one of the places in Malawi that have been affected by an outbreak of cholera which has spread out to about 10 districts where over 1,400 cases have so far been recorded and the disease has claimed the lives of over 50 people.
