Malawi is poised to become the first country in Africa to receive Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kits for cholera.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 1.2 million cholera RDT kits will be distributed to 14 countries in Africa, including Zambia, Ethiopia and Somalia, in the largest global deployment, with the initial shipment slated for Malawi.
The WHO states that this initiative will enhance the timeliness and accuracy of cholera outbreak detection and response by augmenting routine surveillance and testing capabilities for suspected cholera cases.
The RDT kits will enable countries to monitor trends and establish an evidence base for future preventive programmes, thereby supporting the attainment of national cholera control and elimination goals.
This year, Malawi grappled with a devastating cholera outbreak that claimed the lives of approximately 1254 individuals, as reported by the Ministry of Health.
By Alufisha Fischer
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