Ethiopia, Kenya, and Zambia have been recognized as leaders in Africa’s fight against cholera, achieving significant progress in meeting global elimination targets, according to a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO).
The report, released Monday on the social media platform X, evaluated 27 of 47 countries in the WHO African region over five years. It highlighted that Ethiopia, Kenya, and Zambia scored 70% or higher in the implementation of the 2030 cholera elimination framework, with Ethiopia leading at 76%, followed closely by Kenya and Zambia at 75%.
Key milestones assessed in the study included the appointment of national cholera focal points (63%), the development of outbreak preparedness and response plans (61%), and the enhancement of cross-border surveillance (52%). The evaluation also examined the establishment of rapid response teams for field investigations and improvements in cholera case management.
The report attributed the success of these countries to effective mapping of cholera hotspots, which enables targeted interventions and resource allocation. Additionally, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Zambia have implemented strong coordination mechanisms involving government sectors, development partners, and other stakeholders, ensuring a comprehensive response to outbreaks.
The three countries have also prioritized training healthcare workers, forming rapid response teams, and stockpiling essential supplies, further strengthening their national preparedness and response capacities.
Regional Challenges
Despite these success stories, the report revealed a mixed picture for the region as a whole. Fourteen countries showed “fair” progress, with implementation rates between 40-69%, while 10 nations recorded “insufficient” progress, scoring below 40%.
The report noted that while mapping cholera hotspots has shown encouraging results, critical areas such as investments in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure remain significantly underdeveloped. Investment cases for cholera control scored the lowest milestone at just 14%.
The WHO emphasized the need for continued regional collaboration and increased investment to overcome these challenges and achieve the 2030 global cholera elimination targets.