By JAMES KUNDA –

Chilufya

A TOTAL of 1,880, 250 millilitre (ml) and 910 cases of 750 ml counterfeit bottles of chorine have been recalled from the market by Bimbe trading limited, a Lusaka manufacturer after the Zambia  Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) proved the commodity unsafe for human consumption.
Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya said the consignment was recalled after a routine inspection of Bimbe operations by ZAMRA.
“We will not allow our people to be exposed to substandard products in the wake of the cholera outbreak, the inspections have intensified and we’ll ensure maximum compliance by the producers of these commodities,” Dr Chilufya said.
He was speaking in Lusaka yesterday after receiving a donation of chlorine and Dettol soap worth K5,000 from Laurence Paul Investment Services Limited for cholera prevention programmes.
Zoona Limited also donated 500, 750 ml containers of chlorine, 45 cases of 750 ml JIK disinfectant liquid and 20 cases of disposable surgical gloves to the same cause.
Dr Chilufya also received K20, 000 from the Rotary club of Maluba in Lusaka, broken down as K10, 000 towards the construction of an ablution block at a school in Bauleni Township and the other K10, 000 towards the use of four tipper trucks in preventive measures.
Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) president Michael Nyirenda also met Dr Chilufya yesterday to reaffirm the institution’s support to the Government’s drive to curb the disease.
Meanwhile, Dr Chilufya told a Press briefing that Lusaka recorded 32 new cholera cases as at 06:00 in the morning yesterday.
He said 41people were being treated for the disease in the capital city.
Dr Chilufya said the cumulative total of cases in Lusaka was 3,424, while that for the entire country stood at 3,635.
He said 1,319,276 people out of a targeted 1,202,915 in Lusaka had received the oral cholera vaccine in the first round of the exercise.
This represented coverage of 109 per cent.
Dr Chilufya said the second round of vaccination would commence in a fortnight and people with cards form the first round could access the vaccine at any health centre in the city.
He said 385 out of 526 schools in the city had complied with ministry of health regulations on fighting cholera, while 141 had indicated improvement notices.
Dr Chilufya said the ministry had not received any formal report of defence service personnel tasked to clean up Lusaka victimising civilians.