Studies indicate that cholera outbreaks and deaths are completely preventable with recent technologies and tools. Prevalence of the disease is a highly sensitive, highly specific indicator for extreme poverty and harsh living conditions. That is why it is important to specifically targeting it to eliminate it.
Controlling cholera in hot spots is a critical part of the strategy to end cholera globally. The responsibility to eliminate cholera from Ethiopia by 2030 lies with stakeholders at all levels, from ministries to water, sanitation and hygiene partners and non-governmental organizations.
There is also a call upon development partners to support countries to reduce cholera deaths by 90 percent and is based on three strategic axes such as early detection and quick response to contain outbreaks at an early stage, a multi-sectoral approach to prevent cholera in hotspots in endemic countries and an effective mechanism of coordination for technical support, resource mobilization and partnership at the local and global level.
The implementation of the global road map is supported by the Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC), a WHO-led global technical partnership that offers an effective and well-coordinated platform for ending cholera.
Recently, a high level briefing with sectoral ministries, regional health bureaus, partners and donors on a multi-sectoral approach to eliminating cholera from Ethiopia by 2030 was held here in Addis Ababa.
The briefing aligned itself with Ending Cholera: A Global road map to 2030: a call to action issued by the World Health Organization (WHO).
“Eliminating cholera outbreaks requires developmental work which incorporates multi-sectoral engagement as well as an investment in infrastructure. In our ongoing efforts to control outbreaks, this is a great opportunity for Ethiopia to adapt and develop the global strategy in line with our National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS),” said Dr.LiyaTadesse, State Minister of the Ministry of Health in her opening remarks.
Dr. SeleshiBekele, Minister of Water, Irrigation and Electricity said that nearly a third of the population access to water supply is below the national standard level and sanitation is poor in the country, even though the ministry is working with other line ministries and WASH partners.
“A concerted effort is needed among other line ministries and stakeholders if we are to eliminate cholera. We share this duty.”
Responding to a particular cholera outbreak is a short term solution and one that requires huge investment. However, tackling the risk factor through a holistic approach by involving all concerned will bring about sustainable solution and help to reduce the many lives that are lost every year as a result of the disease, said Dr. Ebba Abate, Director General of Ethiopian Public Health Institute.
Dr. Aggrey Bategereza, WHO representative to Ethiopia, officer in charge, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to continue supporting interventions, including the development of the national cholera elimination strategy.
Moreover, all stakeholders showed a commitment to develop a national road map which will guide the development of a multi-sectoral cholera elimination strategy for the country.
A number of factors have converged in recent years to make cholera elimination an actionable and feasible objective. The heightened emphasis on equity and reaching the last mile, championed through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), elevates the importance of addressing cholera and other diseases of extreme poverty.
Sufficient oral cholera vaccine (OCV) is important to fight cholera on a large scale. A person can be fully vaccinated for just by a cheap cost. OCV is a game-changer because it takes effect immediately and, with two doses, works to prevent cholera for 2 to 3 years, effectively bridging the emergency response period with a long-term development approach.
Increasing degree of political commitment from key countries to reducing or eliminating the burden of cholera within their borders is a key. The rise in interest and commitment comes, in part, from an increasing recognition that preventing cholera is not just affordable but also has a high return on investment.
Governments and development donors have often taken the view that WASH infrastructure is simply too expensive to implement in the near term in cholera-affected areas. Yet, the access to basic safe water and onsite, nonsewered sanitation is sufficient to prevent the vast majority of cases of cholera because the disease is usually transmitted in heavily contaminated water.In addition to preventing cholera, prevents a wide range of other water-related illnesses, as well as contributing to achieving goals related to poverty, malnutrition, and education.
In October 2017, the partners launched the renewed global cholera control strategy (the Global Roadmap) and agreed at the leadership level to commit their resources to supporting countries’ efforts to reduce cholera deaths by 90 percent by 2030. The Global Roadmapprovides an effective mechanism for synchronizing the efforts of countries, donors, and technical partners, allowing for a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to country-level planning for cholera control.
The Ethiopian Herald August 8, 2019
BY TSEGAYE TILAHUN
