Tuesday marks the return of classes to primary and secondary schools in Malawi‘s two largest cities following a cholera outbreak that claimed hundreds of lives.
After the Christmas break, schools in the capital, Lilongwe, and the business district, Blantyre, had been closed for at least two weeks.
Over 750 individuals have already died as a result of the cholera outbreak, which started in March of last year. Both Lilongwe and Blantyre still have significant infection rates.
Schools now have access to safe water and better sanitation systems, according to Health Minister Khumbize Chiponda, which will help to significantly lower the number of diseases reported in schools.
The minister expressed optimism that infections in schools will decline as a result of better sanitary conditions. One of the 31 nations most severely affected by cholera is Malawi.
The government requested outside help last week because it was running low on medical supplies.
The aftermath of tropical storm Ana and cyclone Gombe, which caused severe floods last year and devastated the nation’s water and sanitation facilities, is to blame for the widespread instances of cholera in the nation.
