Malawi health officials ban primary school feeding programe in Karonga

KARONGA (Maravi Post)—It never rains but pours in Karonga the northern district of Malawi as health officials have send a bad signal to primary school learners by banning school feeding program in the first term  of the 2016 to 2017 academic calendar.This is because of the cholera disease which continues to ruin the lives of residents since the 2016 rain season.

Speaking during the District Executive Committee (DEC), Karonga environmental health officer Luis Tukula said the development is part of the prevention measures of the disease.

“You know the disease is still in our court but as health personnel we are doing our best to deal with it and the banning of school feeding program is part of our prevention measures,” said Tukula.

According to Tukula, the program will resume after the disease end.

He said chances are high that the disease may not end as soon as possible because it has now spread to the neighboring Tanzania.

However, Richard Sabawo who is the Community Engagement and Training Manager of the Mary’s Meals School Feeding Program which is one the organization dealing with such issues said the ban will affect their resources.

Recently, the district health officials blamed the fishermen for the continuation of the disease.

Since the beginning of the disease in the district, 13 people have died and 235 cases have been registered.