By Namon Chitukuta and Eliam Thera.

Mzuzu, November 19, Mana: Mzuzu City Council says it is prepared to prevent cholera and other hygiene and sanitation-related diseases in the coming rainy season.

Public Relations Officer for the council, Macdonald Gondwe told Malawi News Agency (MANA), on Tuesday that the council is arranging different committees on disaster and waste management to work in various wards and markets for waste management sensitization.

Gondwe said that the council is making efforts to ensure that residents are practicing good hygiene and sanitation habits to avoid cholera and other waterborne infections.

“People should be watchful mostly in this rainy season and avoid littering in places anyhow as risk of a cholera outbreak is high,” Gondwe said.

He appealed to residents to be responsible in their localities by clearing drainage systems as well as properly disposing of wastes, and he stressed that poor waste management poses a high risk of cholera outbreaks mainly during rainy seasons.

Chairperson for vendors in Zigwagwa market, Gerald Maulana has since asked the council to allocate more resources like bins and wheelbarrows as well as working personnel for cleaning and garbage collection.

“We are having uncollected garbage in various parts of the market, and this may cause cholera and other waterborne diseases,” Maulana said.

Meanwhile, Mzimba North District Health Office (MNDHO) is currently implementing a cholera preparedness plan and carrying out various cholera sensitization activities.

MNDHO Public Relations Officer, Lovemore Kawayi said since no cholera case has been registered, the DHO is alerting health facilities to get prepared so that if any case is there they should be able to handle it and prevent further transmission.