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Health official decries inadequate funding for cholera response

Author : | Published: January 13, 2025

Dr. Kediende Chong, Director General for Preventive Health Services and Emergency Response at the national ministry of health speaks on Eye Radio's Dawn Show. |Photo by Lou Nelson-13/01/2025

The director general for preventive health services and emergency response at the national ministry of health has decried inadequate funding for the institution to effectively respond to the Cholera outbreak in the country.

Dr. Kediende Chong said despite promises from both the national government and partners, there are still huge gabs to cover the cost.

“We still don’t have adequate funding despite the fact that the government has promised, and probably today they will definitely release the support as first installment”, he said.

He revealed that the national government pledged to release one billion pounds to the ministry to facilitate its activities, but their budget for cholera response is totaling 11 million US dollars.

“They (government) promised to release about one billion SSP, we are expecting that to be released today (Monday) to support the coordination.”

Dr. Chong said that the ministry only receives in kind support from the partners.

“A number of partners that have responded have also been supporting seriously, but still a huge gab is there in terms of funding”, he added.

He said poor health infrastructure across the country is also a major challenge facing the health ministry.

Chong also called for more capacity building of health workers.

Despite the challenges, Dr Chong said the Ministry has deployed task-forces who are proactively carrying out active cholera case and engaging with the communities.

However, he said the  cholera response workers are faced with logistical challenges.

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