BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-In its quest to contain the spread of cholera outbreak in schools, Ministry of Health has with immediate effect banned the selling of food in all primary and secondary schools in the country.
In a statement through its secretary Chikondano Mussa, Ministry has however urged parents and guardians to always pack homemade food for learners.
Further, the Ministry has released Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to guide schools, academic institutions and school communities on practices that will help prevent the spread of the disease.
“School Management, learners, parents and relevant stakeholders are therefore, strongly urged to adhere to SOPs which are in line with public health protocols as provided by the Ministry of Health.
“They are also being reminded that Cholera is a preventable and treatable disease.
” Prevention can be achieved through drinking safe water, proper use of toilets, proper washing of hands with soap and safe water during the critical times, including before eating, before preparing and cooking food, after using the toilet, after cleaning a baby’s bottom or cleaning a potty and before and after taking care of a sick person ,” reads the statement the Ministry has released.
The statement concludes that Universities and Colleges, have to always ensure that food vendors and suppliers are oriented and adhere to the SOPs.
Despite being a dry season,Malawi continues to register new cholera cases in many of its districts.
As of August 31 2022, the outbreak had claimed 67 lives with 1,736 cases being registered in 15 districts representing a case fatality rate of 3.85%1
