The parliamentary group of the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) expresses "enormous concern" about the evolution of the cholera outbreak and the daily increase in deaths across the country, and says that the request for debate, which it hopes will take place on Friday, arises within the framework of "relevant and urgent" matters of interest.
Angola has recorded 7760 cases of cholera and 293 deaths since the start of the current outbreak on January 7, with the epicenter in the province of Luanda, with the province of Cuanza Norte (with 25 deaths in less than a week) currently being the greatest concern for the authorities.
Angolans "are aware of the reasons that led to this situation, namely the poor sanitation of the environment, aggravated by the consumption of unsafe water, the high population density of the affected areas and extreme poverty", UNITA states in the statement.
The main opposition party says the spread of cholera – already affecting 14 provinces according to official figures – highlights that the epidemic "is the worst the country has suffered in the last two decades".
"Given this serious health situation in which the country finds itself, which poses a high risk to the lives of all citizens", the UNITA parliamentary group believes that it is in the interest of all Angolans to have a debate on the matter, with explanations from government authorities.
Hoping that the plenary session of parliament will discuss the matter on Friday, with the presence of some ministerial officials, the opposition party also urges the Government to reinforce environmental surveillance, environmental sanitation, environmental education and medical and drug assistance in general.
Last weekend, 16 people died in the Luinha area, in the municipality of Cazengo, Cuanza Norte, leading authorities to impose a sanitary cordon and suspend rail transport at several stations in the affected region to prevent the spread of the disease.
The Minister of Health, Sílvia Lutucuta, and the governor of Cuanza Norte, João Diogo Gaspar, guarantee that the outbreak is under control, and a vaccination campaign is underway that has already covered 200 people.
In the last 24 hours, 96 people were discharged and currently, 176 people are hospitalized with cholera.
