"This scenario calls for a coordinated regional response to face this challenge, as no country can combat a disease like cholera alone, which does not respect borders," said the minister.
Thus, the acting chairman of the SADC Council of Ministers pointed out the need to forge a "united front" to sustainably prevent the widespread spread of cholera "and, indeed, the widespread spread of any future diseases or pandemics that may cross our path."
The consideration was made this Monday, the day on which the acting president of the SADC Council of Ministers provided guidance to the Extraordinary Session of the SADC Council of Ministers, held virtually, "from the headquarters of Angolan diplomacy", having was convened to discuss "strategies to combine efforts to contain the widespread spread of cholera in the southern region of the African continent".
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to which VerAngola had access, Téte António considered that the Southern region "needs to prioritize investments in health infrastructure, prevention and health promotion" in order to be possible creating "healthier communities, unlocking human potential and reallocating resources for sustainable development".
The head of the Foreign Affairs portfolio also hoped that the meeting would serve to outline "concrete actions that help heads of State and Government to make decisions" with the aim of "moving towards the eradication of cholera by 2030".
Among other aspects, in his intervention, he also mentioned that "as a region, SADC has demonstrated profound resilience and determination in the face of other health challenges, such as HIV and AIDS and COVID-19 and thanks to collective efforts it was possible to halt the devastating advance of these health pandemics", reads the statement.
The Ministers of Health and Interior, Sílvia Lutucuta and Eugénio Laborinho, respectively, were present at the meeting.
The topic of cholera had already been discussed in Luanda last weekend. It was on Saturday, January 27th, that an extraordinary meeting of SADC Health Ministers was held in the country's capital regarding the cholera outbreak.
The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Health, Sílvia Lutucuta, who, on the occasion, highlighted that "in the current context, member states must increase equitable access to health services, to drinking water in quantity and quality, to basic sanitation and hygiene, in community involvement and participation, aiming for healthy behaviors".
"However, we recognize that the road ahead to achieve the regional framework for implementing the 2030 global cholera prevention and control strategy is threatened by the cholera outbreak and public health emergencies related to climate change," she added.
The Health Minister also said that efforts to protect populations "are intrinsically linked" to the ability to effectively prevent and respond to outbreaks.
"It is with this understanding that we approach our current challenge, recognizing that the battle against cholera is not fought in isolation, but is part of a broader effort under a multisectoral approach, with a positive impact on the social and environmental determinants of health", said the minister.
Remember that Angola is at alert level 2, out of a maximum of three, due to a cholera epidemic in neighboring countries.
