Cassiopeia Project provides technical assistance to set up cholera treatment centres in First Level Hospitals in Lusaka

On the 2nd, 3rd, and 6th November 2023, Cassiopeia Project (Project for Strengthening Management Capacity of the General Hospitals in Lusaka District), together with the Provincial and District Health Offices, provided technical assistance in the preparations of the Cholera Treatment Centers at Chawama, Chipata, Kanyama, Matero, and Chilenje First Level Hospitals.

The Zambian government has declared a cholera outbreak in Lusaka province as of 19th October, and Cassiopeia Project is leading efforts in setting up Cholera Treatment Centers in the First Level Hospitals as well as other hospitals across the Lusaka district.

The Principal Nursing Officer from the Provincial Health Office and the Principal Nursing Officer from the District Health Office, together with hospital staff, joined the Cassiopeia Team to put up signage instructing both hospital staff and patients on the correct procedure of hand washing, sanitization, disposal of waste material and other Infection Prevention and Control measures.

Zoning was done to separate staff areas where nursing staff will be working, and patient areas where patients will be admitted to ensure staff and patient safety and minimization of contamination. Storage of medicines as well as personal protective equipment (PPE) was organized in readiness for apotential surge in cholera cases. Also, the Project and Provincial and District Health Offices engaged hospital staff in the proper procedures of patient handling as well as how to clean staff and patients safely.