President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has called upon Malawians to improve hygiene in their households and communities if the country is going to eradicate the cholera endemic that has ravaged the country for almost a year now.
The President made the imploration on Monday when he visited Area 25 Health Centre and thereafter interacted with communities at Mgona Community Ground.
His visit was aimed at inspecting the damage that was rendered to health facility last week when members of the community ransacked it after their relation, suffering from cholera, died while receiving treatment.
“Nothing Government does will stop this scourge without changes in behavior by Malawians living in communities like this one. And because behaviours are not changing, the situation has become dire,” said the president during the Mgona rally.
The cholera scourge has so far claimed over 1210 lives and infections currently stand at over 42,000. Lilongwe, Mangochi and Blantyre top the list of deaths and infections.
The Malawi leader called upon all citizens to take personal responsibility in having sanitary facilities in their respective homes.
On last week’s violence, the President condemned the perpetrators who he labeled unpatriotic.
He apologized to the health workers at Area 25 Health Centre and Nandumbo in Balaka for encountering attacks from members of the community over misconceptions surrounding the cholera endemic.
President Chakwera tasked the Ministry of Health to strengthen security at all health centres to avoid similar scenarios in future.
The visit also coincided with the official launch of the Tithetse Cholera campaign which is bringing concerted efforts from government, private sector, donor community, traditional and religious institutions and communities.