Around 400 sick and 8 dead: the toll so far

While the cholera epidemic is gaining momentum day by day, there is still no sign of even an effort by state bodies to deal with the situation. So far, only doctors and the Ministry of Health can be seen engaged in the fight against the epidemic. But this is a matter of widespread concern and cannot be dealt with by doctors alone. Other social and public-health measures should be taken to cope with the situation that has arisen and whatever may arise next. What is the government doing? The newspaper «RD» writes on its front page that the Albanian Government is ready to allocate up to 200 thousand dollars to deal with the situation. What are these idiotic announcements? Whose government is this, and to whom will it allocate these dollars? Is it perhaps the government of some other country, content merely to hand out a few thousand dollars? And finally, why is it still only “ready” and not giving this money to be used where it is needed? It is clear. The government “washed its hands” of the matter long ago, leaving [text cut off] a few dollars. It sees itself as outside the game in this national calamity, just as to date it has considered itself unaccountable for the country’s many social problems. The government is thus burying its head like an ostrich, because all responsibility for cholera lies with it. It has now earned the epithet “the cholera government.” What is essential to do— Do they Both are unacceptable. The information calls for the necessary measures to another, from one area to another? Why are public venues, especially social dining establishments, cafés, etc. that do not meet the necessary hygiene standards, not being temporarily closed? Why is the food-products market being allowed to operate as before? These are emergency measures that the Government must take and ensure are implemented. One more aspect. Cholera is not take protective measures, especially when starting with the village health network, as well as their water-supply systems, which are hardly functioning at all. But what is being said in the city? What is being done, how are the authorities responding? The water issue continues to be their Achilles’ heel. It seems they have spent—

Cholera has broken through the cordon [continuation of the left-hand column] ...do? First, accurate information is needed about what is happening with the disease. Until now, such information has been lacking. From the first announcement of the disease until yesterday, the official information has not been accurate. The disease was officially announced only after the press denounced it. The press is still the one presenting the information, forcing the Ministry of Health to act under its pressure. The Ministry itself is also giving contradictory information. Within a single day, the Minister of Health gives one set of figures to the press, his adviser gives another, and the director of the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology gives yet another. Do they not know the situation, or are they afraid to speak out? Both are unacceptable. Information dictates the necessary measures that must be taken. But these measures do not appear to match the situation that has arisen. Why is the government not taking measures to restrict people’s movement from one district to another, from one area to another? Why is [text cut off] not being protected? [Text break] The rapid spread of the epidemic to other districts as well has made it necessary to take immediate measures throughout the country. “Although no indicator has been established; [the disease is] highly aggressive, and its spread is so concerning that it is urgent to take immediate measures,” say specialists from the Ministry of Health. To prevent further spread, all the laboratories [text cut off] of the Interior Order have been mobilized—

Cholera knocks at the door The residents of Laç received some unwelcome news yesterday. Cholera, which has already affected many districts of the country, arrived in Laç quite unexpectedly. At the polyclinic in the town of Laç, we were told that Nafie Puça, a resident of neighbourhood no. 2 in the town, showed symptoms of cholera after spending several days in Kuçovë. She was immediately given first aid and urgently sent to a hospital in Tirana. The problem grows more alarming by the hour. The country’s towns are entering the cholera danger list one by one. The problem is becoming more complicated; the cases in Librazhd are not connected to Kuçovë; all the more so given the official announcement that, among the cases in Librazhd, three were [?] returned in recent days. Correspondent of «Zëri i popullit»

Municipal ineptitude amid cholera

Korçë — The number of sick is rising “When the roof catches fire, the people say, there is nothing left to do but warm your hands.” The same is happening with our officials, who continue to appeal on television for people to keep their spirits up. In the infectious-diseases ward of the Korçë hospital, nobody will open their mouth to tell the truth; saying that there are one hundred sick people would be better, while nobody will answer when asked how many there are. Even the public health directorate knows nothing about this very important problem. A matter of secrecy because of cholera. Meanwhile, as best we can, we have learned that now, in addition to the 6 patients who were isolated this afternoon, there are three more cases: two from the village of Mborje and one from Progri in Devoll. Thus, while the geographical spread of cholera-related diarrhea continues to grow, the head of the Korçë police is content with sending the municipalities a telegram of just 140 words. People are fully aware of what is happening. Everyone is inclined to take protective measures, but with what? The health services in the villages, as well as their water-supply systems, are almost completely nonfunctional. And what is being said in the town? What is being done, how are the officials responding? The water problem remains their Achilles’ heel. It seems they have spent all their time on the privatization board and trips abroad, forgetting this vital matter: water for people’s homes. The [text unclear] that have practically taken over all the streets and gardens in the town are the most likely sources, say medical specialists. They will serve as the primary source of dangerous germs, and many of them lack even the most basic water and sanitation facilities. And there is more. Korçë hospital itself is enough to make you throw your hands up in despair. Intolerable filth, astounding negligence. In its wards, the stench of sewage hangs in the air because there is no running water. The infectious-diseases ward itself looks like a place full of rubbish, judging by the heaps of all kinds of garbage around it. The dermatology ward is even worse; to enter it, you would think you absolutely needed a gas mask. What can one say? The reform was carried out in the management structure, they did what they wanted and appointed the most capable people, while the situation remains completely stifling. The situation is different in Kolonjë. Cholera-related diarrhea has not reached there yet. The same is true in Pogradec. But its residents are sounding the alarm about the severe pollution of the lake waters caused by the discharge of the town’s sewage. M. MEKO

Gjirokastër Municipal negligence amid cholera The taste of chlorine in the drinking water has become stronger, but the municipal authorities still cannot put a stop to the cesspools of sewage. So far, there are two carriers of cholera: rumors and widespread panic. But panic is widespread among people and families, and scarce—and not at the level it should be—in the state and its organizations. Areas with water shortages persist, as do overflowing sewage waters, which in many places become refuse despite all the work. They cover areas they have occupied for a long time. to the cesspools of sewage. The limited alarm among people is good, but it is small and late; the great alarm that should shake the state like an earthquake is needed, because cholera, as we read, has come down low and is tightening its black encirclement. Let us hurry before we fall into it. THANAS DINO

The deputy chairman of the Socialist Party, Ilir Meta, and MPs dr. Sabit Brokaj and Ndre Legisi went to the districts of Berat and Kuçovë in recent days to learn about the situation created by the cholera outbreak and to help address the difficulties. First, they organized a meeting at the Berat prefecture, attended by the prefect and members of the special commission established specifically to deal with cholera intoxication. Another meeting was held at the District Council, also attended by the commune chairpersons and members of the municipal council representing the Socialist Party. Participants raised issues, most of which concerned the spread of the disease. In many villages, as well as in the city of Berat, difficulties have arisen—

It is a crime to play politics with the tragic disease of cholera, as Mr. Cikuli, the Minister of Health, tried to do in his television interview. This dangerous disease affects people regardless of their political affiliations and must be treated with the seriousness it deserves, so that Albania, in the heart of Europe, does not turn its head away and become isolated. Albania’s becoming an endemic country for the disease, or nearly so, would pose a risk and place the authorities of every political party, today and in the future, under very great responsibility. Therefore, eradicating cholera from Albania must mobilize all Albanians to take the strictest measures to prevent it. Every government must contribute as it can, with funding, public information, and commitment, to protecting and maintaining health and the environment around us. The Ministry of Health must take urgent measures to put health centers back into operation; for years, many of them have not been functioning in villages across the country. Establishing new health centers in villages and equipping them with the necessary tools and medical staff—which Albania has in sufficient supply—must be an urgent task for this ministry. Carrying this out requires funds, equipment and supplies, as well as ongoing accountability for this personnel. Leaving these centers under the control of ministries and district directorates means that work there is not carried out properly and oversight does not meet the standards required today. Local government has no means of responding to the situation worsened by the cholera epidemic. (Continued on page 2)

Vlorë Hygiene is a hallmark of a cultured person It is entirely natural that, during this day of the cholera epidemic, the focus of attention in Vlorë too should center on two main aspects: water supply and the city’s hygiene. With this concern in mind, we continued our inspection of the city’s neighborhoods. The situation is not good. Work is carried out sporadically and without the necessary civic concern. There are serious problems in all the city’s neighborhoods. The employees of the cleaning enterprise do not perform their duty properly, and cleaning is superficial. There is rubbish everywhere: in the streets, beside kiosks, especially in the neighborhoods of «L. Salla», «28 Nëntori», «Isa Boletini», «Lirim», etc. The work being done in the city center, on the main boulevard, should not divert attention from the outskirts of the city. Bins or other waste-collection containers are missing everywhere, and chlorination of the area is hardly carried out. Meanwhile, the city’s hygiene is not the responsibility of a specialized enterprise alone. Hygiene is a hallmark of the cultured citizen. Therefore, it is important for every citizen to understand that the first rule of coexistence among civilized people is for everyone to make an effort to ensure that the city of Vlorë is a model of hygiene. This may also be an indication of the work of the municipality and its administration: in this emergency, they should coordinate municipal services and administrative efforts with civic engagement to deal with the threatening situation. Correspondent of «Zëri i popullit»

Shkodër-Malësi e Madhe-Pukë Public opinion is now very well sensitized to cholera infection. In Shkodër, we mainly visited several health institutions. Em- Shkodër-Malësi e Madhe-Pukë The fact that no one has been affected by cholera does not mean that precautionary preventive measures should not be taken Public opinion is now very well sensitized to cholera infection. In Shkodër, we mainly visited several health institutions. Employees of the sanitary center had been deployed to inspect food products in the private market and the drinking water. At the infectious diseases hospital, which bears the main responsibility for illnesses of this kind, we were told that so far there had been no reports or suspicions; when it comes to cholera, «we are as safe as an apple’s core». (Continued on page 3)

- It is a serious and highly contagious disease. - But it can be prevented and successfully treated. How the disease spreads: - The mouth is the route by which cholera germs enter the body. - It spreads through contaminated water, food and hands. The disease can be prevented by: Strictly observing hygiene standards: - carefully washing hands with soap before preparing food, before every meal and after every bowel movement; - protecting water, food and hands from contamination and flies; - boiling drinking water and using it within 24 hours; - thoroughly washing dishes with boiled water after every use; - consuming food after it has been heat-treated; - washing fruit and vegetables thoroughly with boiled water and soap. See a doctor as soon as possible if you have digestive complaints, especially diarrhea.

* * * - International organizations and observers interested in free elections have expressed interest in addressing the situation and crisis caused by cholera in Albania. OMS-1, PNLD-4, the European Community, the Italian government, Korinati i San, etc., have confirmed their readiness to provide assistance. - In Gjithkombëtarët, the ... continues; the action of ... only its 50th anniversary, the meat having occupied 50 percent and 50 for ...? The choice of ... - For ...

- Of the compost heaps previously blocked, 8,000 bottles of beer are on their way to being destroyed in Elbasan. * * * - The Constitutional Court, having found the request well-founded, rejected the request by ... «Pronë me Drejtësi» to repeal ... * * * - A 65-year-old robber and assailant ... on the outskirts of Tirana prison ...

* * * - The «Agjimi» association, in cooperation with its branch in Lecce, Italy, revived for the residents of Pograd the traditional New Wine Festival, a product of the local vineyard in this district. * * * - A 9-year-old girl, abducted from her home in Tirana, escapes her kidnappers in Korçë thanks to the intervention of police forces. * * * - As privatization continues in the district of Durrës, this process has also been completed for the Sweet-Making Workshop—

- Its owner (a building and machinery problem) came into 2.6 million new lekë: former Minister of Foreign Trade Relations, Mr. A. Ho-xha, despite the requests of the workers and specialists. * * * - «Shkodra Through the Centuries» is a new book, published by the Historical Museum of this city, which presents aspects of Shkodra’s history, culture, ethnography, language, literature and sport. * * * - Kauna and especially the fish, in

- The Ligenet and the Mat River are under the destructive blows of dynamite from illegal hunters. * * * - An agreement on cooperation has been signed between Albania and Holland, with the aim of promoting road transport of passengers and goods. * * * - A police «Ford», travelling at speed on the Vlorë-Skelë road, struck an elderly citizen riding a bicycle that day. The injured person is in hospital. The investigation team is at the scene to clarify—

- ...the causes of the accident. * * * The news published in this column several days ago, according to which prosecutor Albertin Qelëshi had become engaged and his resignation had been requested, is not true. The falsehood in this case is the newspaper Javale’s, which is where this news was taken from. * * * - Following a conflict between two 17-year-old pupils near the buffet ... in Vlorë, there was a consequence ...