Lusaka City Council to bury all shallow wells to contain spread of cholera

The Lusaka City Council (LCC) has resolved to bury all shallow wells across the city as an emergency cholera response.

This followed a surge in the daily cholera cases being recorded in the country with Lusaka being the most affected district, according Lusaka Mayor Chilando Chitangala.

Speaking during the 4th Ordinary Full Council meeting held on January, 3, 2024, Chitangala explained that shallow wells are a major source of contamination and pose a serious health risk to the residents.

She directed all Councillors to work with the Council, community leaders and health workers in the identification of active shallow wells in their respective wards to ensure they are buried as soon as possible.

“The cholera outbreak should be handled with utmost attention if the city was to win the fight against cholera,” the Lusaka Mayor said.

She stated that the numbers being recorded are alarming and as such there was need to do everything possible to curb its further spread.

Chilando further underscored the need for water bowsers in areas such as Matero, Kanyama, Munali and Mandevu Constituencies which are currently experiencing erratic water supply.

“The lack of clean and safe water was a contributing factor to the cholera outbreak and that the council was working with various stakeholders to address the issue,” she said.

The Lusaka Mayor appealed to the residents to boil their water before drinking and to practice good hygiene and sanitation.

She also advised them to avoid eating street food and to wash their hands frequently with soap and water.

Meanwhile, Acting Lusaka City Council Town Clerk, Engineer Liftery Ndaba, informed the Council that Heroes Stadium had been declared a Cholera Centre, adding that it was ready to cater to the patients.

The Acting Town Clerk also revealed that the Council has released Constituency Development Fund (CDF) vehicles to be used in the epicentres to respond to cholera cases.

He called on all cooperating partners to come on board and donate items such as chlorine, disinfectants, gloves, soap and other essentials to help in the fight against cholera.

Ndaba thanked the government and other stakeholders for remaining resilient and supportive in combating the cholera outbreak.

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