By Dyson Kamwana
The Center for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has requested the Presidential Taskforce on Covid-19 and Cholera, to make public how much it has received from the private sector to help in the fight against Cholera disease, weeks after calling for help.
CDEDI Executive Director, Sylvester Namiwa said the government should not only concentrate on announcing the Cholera situation update but also on how much money the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and well-wishers are pouring in for accountability and transparency sake.
“Regular updates will not only enhance transparency and accountability in the funds and medical supplies received so far, but also motivate more to join the fight against Cholera which has now claimed over 1000 lives,” Namiwa said.
Namiwa observed that President Lazarus Chakwera is failing to account for the MK6. 2 billion and MK17.5 billion Covid-19 funds, a development he noted was holding back the President from declaring Cholera a national disaster, hence a call for transparency on the donated monetary and material assistance.
“President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera is reluctant to declare Cholera a national disaster for one simple reason; because he is ashamed of how he handled the MK6.2 billion and MK17.5 billion Covid-19 funds. We cannot sit back and watch when lives are being lost,” added Namiwa.
On January 9th, 2023, the task force called for assistance from the private sector to help fight against the outbreak which continues to claim the lives of Malawians.
Since the plea for support, a number of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have rendered to government medical supplies to help in the fight against the outbreak in the country.
Currently, the country has recorded 1, 045 Cholera deaths and 31, 832 cumulative confirmed cases since the first case was registered in Mangochi last year.
