The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) organized the Regional Cholera Strategy Technical working group meeting from 08 to 10 August 2018. The meeting aimed at developing a Cholera Strategy for the Southern Africa Development Committee (SADC) region brought together Cholera Focal points from the eleven (11) SADC Member States and was facilitated by the Africa CDC through its Southern Africa Regional Collaborating Centre (RCC).
During his opening remarks, Dr Storn Kabuluzi, Director of the Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) highlighted that the challenges faced by the Southern African Member States are similar and require a collaborative approach to overcome them. He also emphasized on how developing a Regional Cholera Strategy will address these challenges with a clear roadmap to prevent and control cholera outbreaks in Southern Africa countries and this will go a long way in helping member states realize that they can kick cholera out of the region.
The Africa CDC in collaboration with the SADC identified strategic areas of collaboration between the two Institutes for short-term interventions including development of a Regional Cholera Strategy based on emerging issues affect more than one Member States in the region.
The Regional Cholera Technical working group has been tasked to address all cholera related activities within the SADC region including developing work plans and coordinate cholera specific activities within the region.
