Zambia starts cholera vaccine plant construction next month
The facility at Lusaka South Multi Facility Economic Zone will produce 20 million doses annually.
Construction of Africa’s first oral cholera vaccine manufacturing plant will begin next month at the Lusaka South Multi Facility Economic Zone. President Hakainde Hichilema announced the project, which is a collaboration between Zambia and Chinese company International Medical Technology. The plant is expected to produce 20 million doses of the vaccine each year.
President Hichilema stated the plant demonstrates Zambia’s commitment to cholera prevention and continental efforts to eliminate the disease by 2030. He also announced that the government released K13 million for the emergency supply of safe water amid a cholera outbreak. This outbreak has reached 1,622 cases and 30 deaths since July 28, affecting 20 districts across six provinces.
As of October 28, 104 patients remained admitted to hospitals, with 1,488 having recovered. The Ministry of Health reported 74 new cases in the latest 24-hour period, with no new fatalities. Minister of Health Roma Chilengi urged prompt delivery of safe water to affected communities with proper accountability for the K13 million funding.
Why it mattersZambians are directly affected by the cholera outbreak and the government's response through vaccine production and water provision.