Zambian President Urges Relocation to Rural Areas to Combat Cholera Outbreak

In the wake of a devastating cholera outbreak that has claimed the lives of approximately 300 people, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has called on citizens to move from towns to villages. The president attributes the outbreak to poor sanitation in densely populated urban areas, which creates an environment conducive to the proliferation of the disease. By encouraging residents to relocate to rural areas with ample space and “perfect sanitation,” Hichilema aims to decongest major towns and mitigate the spread of cholera. With over 7,500 reported cases of cholera since October, the situation has become increasingly dire, prompting the implementation of preventive measures such as the delay of school reopening. Cholera has already spread to eight of Zambia’s ten provinces. In an attempt to contain the outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) plans to send approximately one million doses of the cholera vaccine. While visiting the Heroes Stadium Cholera Treatment Centre, President Hichilema expressed his government’s commitment to taking difficult measures to eradicate the waterborne disease. He suggests that the unplanned settlements forming in towns are the result of some Zambians migrating without a clear objective, leading to increased health risks. Hichilema emphasizes the abundance of land and clean water in rural areas, which could support agricultural endeavors and the construction of pollution-free homes. Furthermore, the president promises to improve existing slums in towns and prevent the emergence of new ones. Mozambique and Zimbabwe, neighboring countries, have heightened surveillance at their borders to prevent cross-border transmission. Zimbabwe has been grappling with its own cholera crisis due to a lack of clean water, further highlighting the urgency of addressing this waterborne disease. Cholera, a bacterial infection transmitted through contaminated water or food, can cause severe dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea and can prove fatal within hours if left untreated. By encouraging rural migration and implementing necessary measures, President Hichilema aims to mitigate the impact of the outbreak and safeguard the health of Zambians.