LUSAKA, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) — A plan to help African countries respond more effectively to cholera outbreaks was launched Tuesday, with a call for national leaders to take central responsibility in tackling the deadly waterborne disease.
The Africa Continental Cholera Outbreak Response Plan was unveiled on the sidelines of the 75th Session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. It is designed to provide countries with guidance on mounting swift and coordinated responses to outbreaks.
Launching the plan, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema urged African leaders to establish presidential task forces on cholera, stressing the importance of high-level accountability and coordination.
“This moment marks a turning point in Africa’s fight against a disease that has robbed communities not just of health, but of dignity and opportunity,” he said.
He noted that the absence of a coordinated framework had often led to delayed or inadequate responses. Hichilema underscored the need to allocate domestic resources before seeking external aid, saying such a move would demonstrate a genuine national commitment.
He also called for stronger collaboration between health ministries and those responsible for water and sanitation, adding that cholera is primarily a water and sanitation challenge.
Cholera remains widespread across Africa, largely due to poor water and sanitation services. According to the WHO, 33 African countries reported cholera in 2024, with a cumulative total of 804,721 cases and 5,805 deaths.
