Luanda, 19 January, 2025 / 8:45 pm (ACI Africa).
The Episcopal delegate for Catholic Schools in Angolas’ Catholic Diocese of Caxito has called for government action to combat the cholera epidemic affecting three provinces in the country.
In an interview with ACI Africa on Saturday, January 18, Fr. Evaristo de Assunção Nangayapwa acknowledged the efforts made by authorities to tame the spread of the deadly disease, but highlighted the critical water shortage hindering containment measures.
“We have indeed seen substantial action by the authorities to stem the outbreak, as the Head of State himself urged. However, much remains to be done to prevent this disease from spreading to other regions,” the Catholic Priest said.
The cholera outbreak, now in its second week, has impacted the provinces of Luanda, Bengo, and Icolo e Bengo.
According to Angola’s Ministry of Health bulletin released on January 16, the country has reported 383 cases and 22 deaths. A new Oral Rehydration Post and Cholera Treatment Center with 100 beds has been set up in the Paraíso neighborhood of Cacuaco, Luanda’s provincial epicenter.