African nations last week joined forces to combat cholera, a disease
which affects millions of Africans and killed 13 000 in 1991, the worst
year on record. Representatives of all African countries agreed to the initiative
in Geneva at a meeting called by the WHO.
Gottlieb Monekosso, the WHO’s regional director for Africa, said that
it will take a prolonged effort costing billions of dollars to make Africa
safe from cholera. He said that the cost of dealing with the existing emergencies
could reach $20 million.
Organisers of the initiative have drawn up a four-point plan to move
things forward. The plan comes in the wake of a similar initiative in Latin
America (This Week, 28 March).
