Cholera in Juba is a dent on the image of the city

The fact that some 9 deaths have been recorded in Juba County which hosts the capital city due to Cholera is a dent on the image of the city authorities and the country.

This incident provokes serious debate on the health preparedness of the city and it’s population.

We know that open defecation still takes place in the streets, and even homes in Juba city, something that should not be taking place but all this is due to the laxity of city authorities and also due to the fact that many homes still lack latrines.

The rainy season has actually exposed the dirt under our linen, the heaps of rubbish that keep being disposed on the main roads and also hygiene within homes.

Now that we are dealing with the deadly cholera outbreak there is need for civic education of the public besides prevention efforts. Civic education on health in African countries has proven to be an effective preventive measure in the real sense of things.

City authorities and health experts should look beyond responding to cholera but also implement awareness on hygiene, and this should not end after cholera is defeated and then complacency and laxity set in.