Beyond Cholera's Shadow
A courageous mother overcomes stigma and joyfully embraces life's triumphs
LUSAKA, Zambia, February 2024 --- "Its rapid onset caught me off guard, leaving us vulnerable and unprepared," Mildred Banda shares, reflecting on the devastating impact of cholera in Lilanda township, one of Lusaka's cholera hotspots, where she lives.
Mildred, a resilient mother of five, including one boy and four girls, has endured numerous tragedies in her life. The burden of losing her husband in 2021 was devastating. Working as a security guard, she managed to provide for her children sufficiently until she lost that job in 2022. Nevertheless, she resourcefully sought alternative means of survival by selling fritters, popcorn, and samosas. Unfortunately, this business venture turned out to be short-lived, due to the stigma she is facing in her community after her children were affected by cholera.
On 5 January, Mildred noticed that her 15-month-old baby boy was experiencing diarrhoea. Initially, she attempted to treat her baby at home using homemade remedies, such as ash and local leaves boiled into a drink. Unfortunately, the baby's condition worsened, leading her to take him to George Health Centre. At the clinic, medical professionals provided oral rehydration salts with zinc, and advised Mildred to continue treatment at home to reduce the risk of additional infections since the baby showed some signs of improvement. Despite following their advice, the baby's condition rapidly deteriorated at home. Distraught, Mildred rushed back to the health facility on 7 January, only to receive the shocking news that her baby had passed away.
I was denied the opportunity to hold a funeral for my son. With assistance from the local authorities, we laid him to rest on the same day, and I am still grappling with the reality of it, a teary-eyed Mildred shared.
Mildred's story is just one among many. In addition to UNICEF’s prevention efforts to ensure safely managed water, promote handwashing, and make early care an option, UNICEF has relentlessly carried out Rapid Quality Assessments, gathering insights from survivors and the bereaved families. Unfortunately, the solemn dignity of gathering to mourn has been stripped away, leaving only a handful of loved ones to pay their respects at intimate burial sites.
On 8 January, Mildred's 15-year-old daughter fell ill, experiencing symptoms of severe vomiting and diarrhoea. Acting swiftly, Mildred followed her initial instincts and promptly called for a "Yango," the local equivalent of Uber, to transport them to George Health Centre. Thanks to her quick response, Trisha received the necessary medical attention just in time.
After learning from a recent experience with my son, I wasted no time and immediately rushed to the facility. The care and support I received from the health workers at the George Health Centre was simply amazing! And now, here we stand today, with Trisha's life saved, Mildred said with a smile.
Cholera, with its historical association with unsanitary living conditions, often leads to fear, misinformation, and stigmatization. Because of this, it is crucial to address such misconceptions to prevent further suffering and promote empathy and support for those affected. Mildred's personal experience sheds light on the difficult times she faced during her battle with cholera in her household, the prejudice and unwarranted discrimination from her neighbours.
One of my neighbours approached me with a request to sweep and spray their yard. Their concern was that rainwater from my yard could potentially carry cholera, and they believed it was necessary to prevent any chance of its spread. To my dismay, I noticed that some of my neighbours have distanced themselves from me, even going to extreme lengths like discouraging their children from playing with mine, all to eliminate the perceived risk of contracting the disease, Mildred recounted.
Mildred sadly expressed her greatest distress when her daughter is referred to as 'Trisha-cholera,' as it deeply affects her and leaves her worried about the impact on her daughter.
Before these cholera episodes, I, like many others in my community, believed in the myths surrounding the prevention of infection through drinking boiled green leaves, ash, chlorine, and 'kachasu', a local brew. In fact, I even resorted to giving ash to my baby, shared Mildred.
Mildred vividly recalls the valuable counseling she received from the dedicated healthcare workers at George Health Centre upon Trisha's discharge. Additionally, she expressed her gratitude for the enlightening sensitization provided to her by the Community-Based Volunteers (CBVs) during a door-to-door campaign, which is made possible through a collaboration between UNICEF Zambia, the Ministry of Health, and the Zambia Red Cross Society.
Thanks to the guidance she received at the clinic and from her interactions with CBVs Mildred now has the right information and knows how to protect herself and her family from cholera.
"Stigmatizing individuals will not foster community unity, as cholera does not discriminate among its victims; it affects us all," Mildred emphasized while discussing the crucial role of community support in reducing stigma and promoting early care-seeking for cholera. She shared an example to illustrate this point ---
Just recently, I heard about a lady whose two young children were suffering from diarrhoea, and she was hesitant to seek medical help. I visited her and encouraged her to take her children to the health facility. Thankfully, she followed my advice, and both children received treatment and returned home safely, shared Mildred.
Mildred extends her heartfelt gratitude to the healthcare workers at the George Health Centre for their invaluable support and kindness throughout her journey. With firm conviction, she urges fellow community members to adhere to the medical guidance on cholera prevention and to promptly seek care when symptoms arise.
Additionally, she emphasizes the significance of her church community for providing the essential social connection she relies on during these challenging times.
"My church has been with me throughout my challenges with cholera, they never abandoned me and that is what we need, to show love to people going through tough times,” concluded Mildred.
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