Luanda – Luanda Province's Director for Health, Manuel Varela, on Wednesday in Luanda informed that Angola has no cases of cholera, although the disease is circulating in border countries such as the Republic of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The physician was speaking to ANGOP on the prevention measures to fight the disease that has been spreading since January 2023 in five countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), namely Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Manuel Varela said that some patients had diarrhoea, followed by vomiting, but as soon as they were observed, the suspicion of cholera was ruled out.
"The patients who presented this condition were immediately observed and samples were taken for laboratory diagnosis, thus being ruled out as a case of cholera," he explained.
He guaranteed that the government will continue to keep a close eye on the situation in order to prevent a possible cholera outbreak in Angola.
According to the director, there is every need to implement measures to prevent this disease.
He assured that the Ministry of Health is attentive to changes and information from neighbouring countries affected by the disease, with associated deaths.
He said that the commission to combat cholera, which covers the national, provincial and municipal levels, brings together various governmental departments, including Health, Energy and Water, Finance and Social Action.
Contingency Actions
According to the official, who is part of the commission, the Ministry of Health has already had meetings with the Cholera Treatment Centre (CTC) and trained professionals on the ways to treat the disease, as well as held some visits to municipalities to raise awareness among the population.
He said that the Health Ministry plans to get protection means and biosecurity material such as beds, bleach for sanitising the space, gowns, gloves and boots.
He pointed out that Luanda Province has nine reference centres for cholera treatment, one in each municipality.
Regarding medication, he assured that the hospitals are ready to deal with any case, adding that in order to enlighten the population about care, the Ministry of Health has set up a social media awareness programme.
EVC/OHA/MRA/jmc
