KACHASU BREWERS CASH IN ON CHOLERA OUTBREAK

 KACHASU BREWERS CASH IN ON CHOLERA OUTBREAK

...as demand for the high potent locally brewed spirit goes up at the height of cholera outbreak in Lusaka.


By Alfonso Kasongo
LUSAKA: The outbreak of Cholera in Lusaka's George compound in Matero constituency has triggered public concerns as residents in the area have  resorted to drinking Kachasu, a high potent traditionally brewed spirit in an effort to prevent and treat the diarrhoeal disease.

The development has since caused the demand for the alcoholic beverage to skyrocket.

According to the residents, they believe drinking Kachasu also known as lutuku in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo will protect them from contracting the diarrhoeal disease which has so far killed over 200 people since  the outbreak last October.



The sad part and concerning issue is, the  residents have also resorted to giving the high potent alcohol beverage to children from the age of two.

Kachasu ,distilled brew made through distillation in which the mixture of sugar,germinating maize seeds and fermented finger millet is boiled.


The vapour is collected through an exit and allowed to pass through a condenser where it is cooled. The collected liquid has high alcohol content.


Edina ,a resident of the area says she believes a tot of the beverage taken in intervals daily is enough to protect a person from contracting the disease.

Edina adds that she has since put herself and her family on the treatment and that she has enough of the beverage to ensure no family member contract the disease.

She however, appealed to scientists and other key stakeholders to take keen interest and conduct research on the possibility that Kachasu contain medicinal elements to treat cholera.

And Mbita, another resident says the disease is real in the area but she has advised her fellow residents to seek medical attention than taking Kachasu.

Mbita,however,expressed sadness about the development saying the outbreak of the disease is being abused by the residents to perpetuate alcohol abuse.

She says cholera is real in the area  but the situation should not abused .

" people are drinking Kachasu number one because they believe it can heal them but my advise to them is ho to the clinic to be diagnosed, yes I can confirm that people here are drinking the high potent local brew in an effort to prevent cholera," Edina says.

Another resident resident Edith Phiri laments that lack of safe drinking water in some parts of the compound has contributed to the outbreak of the diarrhoeal disease, the situation she has described abuse of right to access to clean,safe drinking water.

Edith, who suffered from cholera in 1992 expressed concern over the use of the alcoholic beverages to prevent and treat cholera,describing the development as abusive because the beverage can not treat or prevent the transmission of the disease.

Meanwhile government through  ministry of health has  intensified cholera alert messages.

 "Did you know cholera is a dangerous disease that can kill a healthy person within hours if not treated? Do not delay start ORS and seek medical help immediately."
  
"Prevent cholera! Always use safe clean water for drinking, brushing your teeth or washing plates. Make your water safe by boiling or adding chlorine in it.

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