By Sheminah Nkhoma

Lilongwe, January 16, Mana: Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda has said it is vital for the country to have a National Cholera Control plan to help in ending the spread of the disease.

Speaking on Thursday during the launch of the 2025-2030 Malawi Multi-Sectoral Cholera Control Plan (MMCCP) and Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) campaign in Lilongwe, Chiponda said the plan seeks to reduce annual Cholera incidence and strengthen proper coordination and implementation in the fight against the disease.

" As a country we are trying our best to end Cholera by 2030, but for that to happen we need to have plans and strategies to achieve the goal”, She said.

The minister pledged that her ministry will make sure that the plan to end Cholera is implemented in collaboration with all stakeholders.

“We are going to make sure that every year we review what has been done and what has not worked to ensure that the system is working,” She said.

UNICEF representative to Malawi, Shadrack Amol said as partners they are committed to end Cholera in the country through the provision of financial, technical and advocacy support in the implementation of the launched Cholera plan in ensuring a Cholera free Malawi by 2030.

Amol commended government effort in fighting Cholera through “Tithetse” Cholera campaign which helped to raise awareness to control the disease.

“As UNICEF, we appreciate government through the ministry of health, for its proactive role in the fight against Cholera as it provides measures on how to overcome this disease”, He said.

In his remarks, Regional Coordinator for Global Taskforce on Cholera Control (GTFCC) Dr. Joseph Seriki said the plan is a step on how best Malawi can control Cholera.

“There should be deliberate effort by government, development partners and stakeholders to ensure the plan is well implemented at community, district and national levels to achieve its goal,” Said Seriki.

The plan has been launched by the Malawi Government through the Presidential Taskforce on Public Health Emergencies and the ministries of health, water and sanitation in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS), among others. 

The plan has been launched under the theme: “Healthy Communities, Cholera -Free Lives: Let’s Work Together “