LUSAKA, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Zambian government on Tuesday appealed for support in its response to the cholera outbreak as cases of the waterborne disease continue to surge.
Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo said the sharp rise in cholera cases has put a strain on government resources hence the need for support from other stakeholders.
In remarks delivered when she received various items from Trade Kings Foundation, a charity of Trade Kings, a local firm, and the Muslim Social and Welfare Trust, Masebo said the government requires financial and material support to ensure success in the cholera response.
She commended the two organizations for the donation, saying the donations would go a long way in helping the response to the cholera.
The country has now recorded a cumulative 7,004 cases since the waterborne disease broke out in October last year and 273 deaths following 736 new cases and 25 deaths, respectively, in the past 24 hours, according to a daily update from the Ministry of Health.
A total of 639 people were discharged during the same period, bringing the total discharges to 5,426 while 1,305 people were admitted to various treatment centers.
The disease has so far spread to 45 districts in eight of the country's 10 provinces. ■
