Lusaka Province is once again grappling with a concerning cholera outbreak, recording a cumulative total of seven cases in areas like Mtendere East, Chilanga Middle East, Kanyama, Kabangwe, Matero, and Kalingalinga, alarmingly close to the University of Zambia (UNZA) Great East Road Campus. This perennial public health crisis, rooted primarily in poor sanitation and lack of access to clean drinking water, highlights a systemic failure to prevent a highly preventable disease. As Lusaka reels from this persistent threat, the University of Zambia finds itself in a dire state of deteriorating sanitation, prompting student protests and raising serious health concerns.

Students at UNZA have been forced to protest the deplorable living conditions, particularly the lack of timely disposal of sanitary bins in female hostels, which not only denied students dignity in managing their periods but also perpetuated stigma. Beyond this, students are confronted with the grave issue of filthy toilets and showers. The vast majority of the university's toilet facilities are described as fetid, stinking, with wet floors, missing cistern lids, and archaic flushing systems often relying on rusty wires. Despite Lusaka being an epicenter for cholera, the care and maintenance of these essential facilities have been severely neglected, forcing students to seek out a few, often inaccessible, clean toilets in the main library or teaching complexes.

The sanitation crisis at UNZA directly exacerbates the risk of waterborne diseases like cholera among its student population. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, there is some encouragement that UNZA management has established an ad hoc committee tasked with spearheading maintenance and sanitation works across both Great East Road and Ridgeway Campuses. Resolving this deep-seated sanitation crisis is paramount to safeguarding student health and preventing the spread of diseases within the university community.

Adding to the health challenges, a different kind of crisis unfolded during a recent Sports Day at UNZA, where a large number of students flocked to the university clinic in search of condoms, only to be met with the disheartening response that none were available. This led to a frantic search in the nearby Kalinga-Linga township, underscoring a critical shortage that has reportedly persisted since the previous semester. Students voiced their frustrations and deep concerns, with Abu Kampamba, a fourth-year Computer Science student, emphasizing the serious risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) due to the lack of readily available protection. He noted that some students resort to using morning-after pills for pregnancy prevention, which, crucially, offers no safeguard against STIs or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Another student, Kudakwashe, reiterated the unsafety of the environment for students when condoms are not easily accessible.

A staff member at the UNZA clinic, wishing to remain anonymous, confirmed the items were simply “out of stock.” This critical shortage of condoms, coupled with the pervasive sanitation issues and the looming threat of cholera, paints a concerning picture of public health and safety challenges within the University of Zambia. Comprehensive and urgent interventions are needed to ensure the well-being of the student body, addressing both environmental hygiene and sexual health resources.