Lusaka City Council acting public relations manager, Mulunda Habenzu told the Lusaka Star in an interview that the council was undertaking a sensitisation programme aimed at sensitising members of the public on the dangers of cholera and other water borne diseases. THE Lusaka City Council (LCC) has expressed confidence that Lusaka will maintain a cholera-free record this year as the local authority has put in place deliberate sanitation measures that will prevent the possibility of any cholera outbreak.
Last year, Lusaka province did not record any cholera case during the rainy season despite floods that hit the city.
Lusaka City Council acting public relations manager, Mulunda Habenzu told the Lusaka Star in an interview that the council was undertaking a sensitisation programme aimed at sensitising members of the public on the dangers of cholera and other water borne diseases.
“We as the council decided to undertake such a venture because we believe there is need to equip the public with adequate knowledge and information in order to reduce cases of cholera and other water borne diseases,” he explained.
Mr. Habenzu noted that the council was using radio to disseminate information, further noting that the council had also embarked on community sensitisation programs targeting various schools in the city.
The LCC Acting Public Relations Manager urged members of the public to adopt good hygiene practices and take other preventive measure to avoid any possible outbreak of cholera.
He said lack of sensitisation and information on hygiene led to ignorance among members of the public adding that they did not have sufficient knowledge to help prevent the outbreak of Cholera and other water related diseases in their areas.
Mr. Mulunda explained that Cholera was a preventable disease which could easily be prevented by members of the public.
“Cholera strikes when the levels of sanitation deteriorates in our communities. Thus we hope that with the sanitation measures we have put in place, Lusaka residents will take precautionary measures against any possible outbreak of any water borne disease.
“LCC is committed at improving and maintaining a good hygiene and clean environment that is disease free. Therefore, it is up to the citizen to also play their role by putting into action the various precautionary messages given to them through the media,” he explained.
Mr. Habenzu however noted that the vision of having a clean and disease free Lusaka could only be realised if members of the public joined hands with the local authority in keeping the City clean.
He urged Lusaka resident to “uphold good sanitation conditions by keeping their surroundings clean, eating washed fruits and vegetables and observe personal hygiene.”
Mr. Habenzu has since called on members of the public and other stakeholders to work together in keeping the City of Lusaka clean and healthy.
LCC ready to contain cholera outbreak
