LUANDA, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Angolan President Joao Lourenco on Friday addressed the lack of medical resources and vaccines within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to combat cholera.
During the SADC Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government, held virtually and focusing on the cholera outbreak affecting the region, Lourenco highlighted the shortage of resources for acquiring medical products, vaccines, tests and laboratory reagents necessary for the timely and appropriate prevention and treatment of cases.
He said it is urgent for SADC countries to invest in local production facilities for medicines and vaccines to achieve self-sufficiency.
SADC is an intergovernmental organization comprising 16 countries in southern Africa. Angola assumed the rotating presidency in August of the previous year for the term 2023-2024.
"At this critical moment, we must recognize the urgency of our response and the necessity for coordinated and effective action, as cholera knows no borders and requires a regional approach to address it," he said.
In response to the cholera outbreak in neighboring countries, Angola recently elevated its alert level.
According to reports from the World Health Organization in Angola, the country experienced cholera outbreaks between 1995 and 2000, with the deadliest outbreak in 2011, recording 2,284 cases and 181 deaths.
According to the United Nations Children's Fund, since 2023, 13 countries in the region have battled one of the worst cholera outbreaks to hit the region in years and as of Jan. 15 2024, more than 200,000 cases, including over 3,000 deaths, had been reported.
Save 30% for ads-free and full access now!
