Fighting Cholera : Water Purification, Hygiene To Checkmate Outbreaks

Launching the campaign, the Second Deputy Mayor of Yaounde I Subdivisional Council, Mrs. Onambele Bindzi Celementine, said bringing cholera outbreak under control was important for public health and public wellbeing. She reminded participants that cholera spreads fast and can cause deaths.

Yaounde I Council Commits
 “It is important to take note of the risks of cholera and prevent any outbreak. The Ministry of Public Health has in recent months recorded cases of cholera in Yaounde and has been taking action to contain the situation. Yaounde I Council is happy to join the campaign,” Mrs. Onambele said. “Drinkable water and appropriate toilet facilities are necessary to prevent cholera. Play your part to attain this objective,” she appealed.   

AFPEEC Joins Queue 
Dr Yedna Hiobi epouse Bahanag is an Occupational Physician is member of the Executive Board of the “l'Association des Femmes Professionnelles de l'eau, de l'Assainissement et de l'Environnement du Cameroun” AFPEEC. AFPEEC is a member of the African Water Association. “Cameroonian health authorities between March and April 2023 announced the confirmation of cases of cholera in some health districts, including Yaounde,” Dr Yedna recalled. 

Water-borne Disease
Given that the major cause of cholera is the non-respect of basic hygiene rules and lack of access to drinkable water, the “Association des Femmes Professionnelles de l'eau, de l'Assainissement et de l'Environnement du Cameroun” AFPEEC decided to make its contribution in the fight against cholera, explained Dr Yedna Hiobi.

Mobilization Campaign
She spoke in Yaounde on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 as her association launched a two-day campaign to mobilize neighbourhood people against cholera. The campaign involves training Community Health Workers to prevent cholera. And also working with health districts. On the first day, AFPEEC trained Community Health Workers on how to purify water and properly wash hands. The volunteers will in turn sensitize people in various neighbourhoods on how to manage household waste.

Passing On Skills, Knowledge 
“We hope the training will enable Community Health Workers to pass on the knowledge and skills on how to make water drinkable with modest means and regular hand washing with soap after using the toilet; how to identify suspected cholera cases in the community…,” Dr Yedna noted. 

Integrated Water Management
Murielle Elouga, Water, Climate, Development, Gender Programme Officer with Global Water Partnership Central Africa, said her organization works in integrated management of water which involves women. “Cholera is linked to hygiene and sanitation; reason why we need to improve hygienic conditions for people to be able prevent cholera as well as receive treatment,” Mrs Elouga said. 

Key Role Of Women
“Women have a key role to play in the management of water by educating children at home and society in general. They train their children on why and how to wash hands regularly, which water to drink… This is why women need to be trained and acquire knowledge from different partners,” Murielle explained.  

Technical Backstopping
“It is our responsibility to offer technical support to the fight against cholera by “Association des Femmes Professionnelles de l'eau, de l'Assainissement et de l'Environnement du Cameroun” AFPEEC, and encourage the initiative. Women are often left behind in decision-making, but they manage water more than any other group,” Murielle Elouga pointed out.

Mobilizing Communities, Local Authorities 
Cameroon faces a surge in cholera - an acute diarrheal disease that spreads fast in areas with limited access to drinking water and sanitation. Cholera is often contracted by drinking water contaminated with faeces.
This is why AFPEEC organized the awareness and capacity-building activities to inform communities and local authorities on the risks of cholera and the measures to avert its spread. Awareness activities inclu...