CHOLERA REDUCTION - Transforming health in Mangochi: A success story
A community health initiative in Mangochi District has achieved extraordinary results, reducing cholera and diarrhea cases by 97% in Sub-Traditional Authority Mambo.
MANGOCHI, Malawi (Planet Defence) – A groundbreaking initiative has achieved a 97% reduction in cholera and diarrhea cases in Sub-Traditional Authority Mambo, Mangochi District, signaling a transformative step in community health and nutrition writes Maureen Kawerama.
The "Right to Food: From Policy to Plate" project, spearheaded by the Civil Society Agriculture Network (CISANET) and Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (CSAT) in partnership with Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), has drastically improved health outcomes in the area.
According to Paul Chimbalanga, Chairperson of the Area Nutrition Coordinating Committee and Health Surveillance Assistant at Maganga Dispensary, the project’s focus on educating communities about water, sanitation, and hygiene practices has been instrumental.
“Before the project, we handled over 100 cholera and diarrhea cases each rainy season. This year, we’ve seen only three diarrhea cases and no cholera cases, out of a population of 18,930,” Chimbalanga said.
In addition to improving sanitation, the initiative has slashed malnutrition rates by 70%. Families are now better equipped to prepare nutritious meals, thanks to community training sessions.
Sub-Traditional Authority Mambo lauded the project’s impact, noting the empowerment of communities to demand accountability from leaders. “Our people now understand their right to food. By-laws are in place to protect crops and promote sustainable agriculture,” Mambo said.
Project Manager Vincent Kabvala highlighted the sustainability of the initiative. “The knowledge imparted to communities ensures they can continue claiming their rights and maintain these gains even after the project ends,” he said.
The project aims to catalyze the realization of the right to adequate food by strengthening rural governance, raising public awareness, and advocating for sustainable food systems transformation.
Implemented in Senior Chief Lulanga and Sub-Traditional Authority Mambo, the project sets an inspiring precedent for rural health and food security across Malawi.
For a district once plagued by preventable diseases, the results are a testament to the power of targeted community interventions. With these remarkable outcomes, Mangochi is carving a path toward healthier and more sustainable livelihoods.