Interventions by Zambian Government to Prevent the Resurgence of Cholera in Unplanned Settlements: Lessons from Misisi Compound in Lusaka

Cholera has been one of the challenges that most developing countries have faced and, in most cases, this happens mostly during rainy season. This paper however, investigated the interventions implemented by the Zambian government to prevent the resurgence of cholera in unplanned settlements, with a specific focus of Misisi Compound in Lusaka. Cholera remains a significant public health challenge in Zambia, particularly in densely populated informal settlements characterized by inadequate sanitation, limited access to clean water, and poor waste management. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research evaluated key government strategies, including water and sanitation infrastructure development, vaccination campaigns, hygiene education, and community engagement. Findings indicate that the construction of boreholes, public toilets, and water kiosks has significantly improved access to clean water and sanitation, reducing cholera cases by 40% in Misisi Compound between 2017 and 2023. Additionally, oral cholera vaccination (OCV) campaigns achieved over 85% coverage, building herd immunity and mitigating the risk of large-scale outbreaks. Hygiene education initiatives, facilitated through schools, NGOs, and media campaigns, have enhanced awareness and adoption of preventive practices among residents. Community involvement, through collaborations with local leaders and NGOs, has further fostered a sense of ownership and sustainability in cholera prevention efforts. However, challenges persist, including rapid urbanization, infrastructural deficits, resource mismanagement, and cultural resistance to government initiatives. These issues have hindered the full effectiveness of some interventions and underscored the need for enhanced community engagement, increased investments in infrastructure, and improved governance and accountability. The study recommended that the government should invest in developing and maintaining strong water and sanitation infrastructure, especially in informal settlements. This include ensuring constant access to clean water and expanding waste management systems to prevent pollution, promote public health education and community involvement also to increase budget and resource allocation and finally Improved monitoring to minimise misuse of resources.