By Kondanani Chilimunthaka.

President Lazarus Chakwera commended the health workers of Area 25 Health Center for their resilience, ability to serve, and fortitude during the ugly scenes that ensued few days ago when some community members vandalized the health facility following misunderstandings on the cholera treatment procedures at the center.

He was speaking on Monday, February 13th, when he visited the facility as part of Cholera awareness campaign launch, under the theme “Tiyambe ndife kuthetsa cholera”, which took place at Area 25 Health Center in the capital Lilongwe.

In his remarks, President Chakwera said Malawians need to work together to maintain the peace and calm that the country is known for.

He then ordered that Area 25 Health Center which was closed following the fracas be reopened as it serves many citizens of not less than half a million.

Speaking on behalf of chiefs in the country, Senior Chief Kawinga of Machinga registered their disappointment following the vandalism that happened at Area 25 Health facility, thereby urging chiefs not to tolerate such behavior in their areas.

But Kawinga was quick in his speech to say cholera disease is preventable if every citizen can take part in fighting against it, by among others practicing hygiene measures at all times.

Through his speech chiefs have since committed to work with health workers across the country in the fight against cholera outbreak.

Malawi was hit by cholera since March last year, and the numbers have been increasing, recording 36,943 cases to date, with about 1,210 associated deaths reported from all the 29 districts across the country, which has been the worst cholera outbreak in history since 1998 when it became endemic in the country.