Malawi tightens hygiene measures to prevent Cholera in prisons
By Santos Zefania
Lilongwe January 8, Mana: The Malawi Prison Service (MPS) has intensified hygiene and sanitation measures across all prisons nationwide to prevent a possible cholera outbreak, even though no cases or suspected infections have been recorded within the facilities.
MPS Spokesperson Steve Meke told the Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Thursday that the service is enforcing strict preventive measures such as regular hand washing with soap, improved sanitation, proper waste disposal, food safety and ensuring access to clean and potable water for inmates and officers.
“As MPS, we continue to enforce hygiene practices in order to contain the cholera outbreak despite not registering any cases or having any suspects so far. We are making sure that our toilets are clean, waste is well disposed of and that inmates have access to clean and potable water,” Meke said.
He said the service currently has adequate facilities to support the hygiene interventions but works closely with the Ministry of Health when challenges arise.
“Whenever we are overstretched, we link up with the Ministry of Health through district health offices in areas where we have prisons so that together we keep cholera away from our prisons,” he added.
Health Surveillance Assistant for Bwaila hospital Lawrence Dzoole said prisons remain vulnerable to cholera due to congestion and pressure on sanitation systems, especially during the lean season.
“Overcrowding, limited water supply and increased demand for sanitation facilities can easily lead to the spread of cholera if preventive measures are relaxed. That is why consistent hygiene practices are critical in prison settings,” Dzoole said.
He also emphasised the role of health education in preventing outbreaks.
“The involvement of peer educators within prisons helps ensure that inmates understand how cholera spreads and what they can do to protect themselves,” Dzoole said.
MPS says trained health workers and inmate peer educators continue to raise awareness on cholera and other communicable diseases as part of ongoing prevention efforts.