WHO Allocates $16 Million to Combat Cholera

By  Milcah  Tanimu

The World Health Organization (WHO) has taken action to address the growing cholera crisis by releasing $16 million from the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies. Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO, made this announcement during an online news conference.

Dr. Tedros outlined the multifaceted approach the organization is taking to combat cholera. This includes providing crucial supplies, coordinating response efforts with partners, supporting countries in cholera detection, prevention, and treatment, as well as educating people on how to protect themselves.

He emphasized that while financial aid is essential, the ultimate solution to cholera lies in ensuring that everyone has access to safe water and sanitation, which is a fundamental human right recognized worldwide.

Dr. Tedros shared alarming statistics, revealing that reported cholera cases in 2022 were more than double those in 2021. Preliminary data for 2023 suggests that the situation may worsen further.

Currently, 28 countries have reported cholera cases in 2023, compared to 16 during the same period in 2022. Ethiopia, Haiti, Iraq, and Sudan are among the countries currently facing concerning outbreaks. Meanwhile, some progress has been made in countries in Southern Africa, such as Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. However, these nations remain at risk as the rainy season approaches.

Dr. Tedros emphasized that the most severely affected countries and communities are those that are impoverished and lack access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities. They also face shortages of oral cholera vaccines and other supplies, and their healthcare workers are overburdened with multiple disease outbreaks and other health emergencies.

Shifting his focus to COVID-19, Dr. Tedros expressed concerns about the approaching northern hemisphere winter. He noted troubling trends, with hospitalizations and intensive care unit admissions increasing over the past 28 days, particularly in the Americas and Europe, among the countries that report such data.