GHealth News – The World Health Organization’s Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean has launched a new strategy (2025–2028) to reduce cholera in the region by addressing its root causes and preventing future outbreaks. The plan comes amid a significant rise in cholera and acute watery diarrhea cases, with the region currently accounting for 55% of global cholera cases and deaths in 2025.
Key challenges include protracted conflict, poverty, poor health systems, weak water and sanitation infrastructure, displacement, and climate shocks. Countries like Sudan (65,291 cases, 1,721 deaths), Yemen (271,000 suspected cases, 884 deaths), and Syria face especially severe outbreaks.
The strategy aligns with global frameworks and focuses on five key pillars:
- Multisectoral coordination across health, WASH, and emergency sectors.
- Early warning and rapid response systems.
- Access to high-quality case management and treatment.
- Scaling up WASH services in high-risk areas.
- Community engagement, risk communication, and support for vulnerable groups, including gender and equity considerations.
Implementation will be monitored through annual reviews and a mid-term assessment. However, success depends on overcoming serious obstacles, such as underfunding, humanitarian crises, workforce shortages, and supply gaps.
Dr. Hanan Balkhy emphasized that cholera is preventable and controllable, calling the strategy a necessary investment in equity, resilience, and regional solidarity.
(WHO EMRO)