Presidential Taskforce suspends schools opening in Blantyre and Lilongwe

The Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 and Cholera has announced that Primary and Secondary schools in the cities of Blantyre and Lilongwe will not open on 3rd January 2023 as earlier advised, due to recent increase in the number of cholera cases and deaths.

According to the statement co-signed by Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, Minister of Health and Dr Wilfred Chalamira Nkhoma Co-Chairperson for the taskforce, the opening be delayed for no less than two weeks, and until further advice.

The statement has indicated that the two respective city and district councils are working with the Ministries of Health, Education and Water and Sanitation to scale up coverage with safe water, adequate food hygiene, adequate sanitation and cholera vaccination in all hot spot areas.

“The taskforce therefore has called the authorities to enhance compliance with recommended cholera control measures including cholera vaccination,” Chiponda

Meanwhile, the social commentator Joe Maele has branded the abrupt decision as a total sense of disorganization considering that cholera has been in the two cities for quite some time now.

He said government had enough time to implement such action hence the decision has greatly affected parents and students.