DRINKING OF KACHASU TO AVOID,TREAT CHOLERA WAS A MENTAL ISSUE, SAYS PSYCHIATRIC EXPERT

DRINKING OF KACHASU TO AVOID,TREAT CHOLERA WAS A MENTAL ISSUE, SAYS PSYCHIATRIC EXPERT

...and poor nutrition in adults due to alcohol itself  was one of the major challenges to case management to save lives in most cholera patients,who were alcohol abusers.

By Alfonso Kasongo
Drinking of Kachasu, a high potent local brew (spirit), to avoid and treat cholera was triggered by anxiety ,fear of unknown among residents in high risk areas, a renowned mental health specialist ,Dr. Naeem Dalal has disclosed.

And Dr Dalal adds that poor nutrition in adults due to alcohol itself  was one of the major challenges to manage cases to save lives in most patients with high  alcohol intake.

Dalal discloses that such patients had their hydration compromised by alcohol especially Kachasu and other high percentage alcoholic beverages (spirits),locally known as tujilijili.

In an interview with the Editorial News, to ascertain the impact of cholera  ourbreak on mental health, Dr. Dalal says the  epidemic in the country raised a number of mental health concerns as some residents in epicentres (peri urban and rural areas) such as Kanyama, Matero and Chilenje experienced alot of anxiety and fear of unknown ,which he explained had negative effect on their mental health.

Dr. Dalal is a globally recognized mental health specialist deeply committed to advancing mental health policies and services. His focus spans grassroots initiatives to systemic improvements in preventive healthcare.
Zambia has seen the outbreak of the epidemic since October,2023 which has so far claimed over 300 lives, with community deaths being high compared to those recorded at health facilities across the affected provinces.

Due to its wide spread, some residents in affected communities resorted to drinking Kachasu to avoid the contraction of the disease,the situation which triggered government to  close such busineses. 

And the mental health specialist further explains .."when  cholera survivors are repatriated back into the community they felt embarrassed because the community looks at them in different manner."
Meanwhile he has warned against talking of Kachasu to treat the diarrhoeal disease saying .."people who take such alcoholic beverages are at high risk of losing life quicker once they contract the disease. " 

"It was a wrong misconception and we have been communicating accordingly," Dr. Dalal adds.

Meanwhile he told the Editorial News that poor nutrition in adults due to alcohol abuse  threatened the management of cholera cases to save lives in most alcohol abusers.

To manage such cases,Dr. Dalal disclosed ,the ministry of health introduced a section at cholera treatment centre (Heroes stadium), specifically dedicated for detoxing treatment in cholera patients.

"So we were having challenges to surpass their management ,we actually lost few cases.It was quiet challenging when it came to case management for saving lives," Dr. Dalal said.

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