Nigeria Pledges To Tackle Cholera Outbreak In States
The Nigerian Government has pledged to work with state governments
to tackle Cholera outbreaks and deaths in many parts of the country.
The Director, Water Quality Control and Sanitation Department, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mr Ibiyemi Olu-Daniels
pledged the ongoing Technical Support Workshop for the Development of Cholera Emergency Preparedness
and Response (EPR) Plan in Asaba, Delta.
Cholera is a highly contagious water-borne disease, that affects public health
safety in many regions.
However, Olu-Daniels said that the ministry was committed to working with state governments and relevant stakeholders
to check any outbreak by providing safe, clean water and sanitation services.
He said that “over the years, the Nigerian Government had supported states with several initiatives and projects, including
hygiene promotion and capacity building.”
This, he said aimed at increasing access to safe and clean water and improving sanitation and hygiene practices
across the country.
Olu-Daniels explained that “the workshop is an opportunity for experience sharing and knowledge, adherence to best practices in emergency preparedness and response to cholera outbreaks and related emergencies.”
He said; “it is also an opportunity to establish a strong collaboration between Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) stakeholders in Delta State towards a cholera-free state.
“I am confident that this workshop will equip us with the necessary skills, tools and resources to develop effective cholera
emergency preparedness and response plans, as well as establishing a strong WASH emergency working group in Delta.
“I encourage participants to actively engage in discussions, share experiences and knowledge, and collaborate toward
a common goal of improving public health in Nigeria.”
He said states must have separate budget lines to cater for WASH interventions, stressing that with coordination and adequate funds, cholera would be prevented.
The Director, Sanitation, Delta State Ministry of Water Resources, Mrs Jane Emonena said access to WASH is the first line of defence in any form of emergency.
She defined cholera as an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with the bacteria Vibrio cholera, adding that children are mostly at risk.
Mrs Emonena mentioned the mode of transmission of cholera to include faecal-oral contaminated water, and contaminated food and drinks, among others.
She highlighted the importance of hand-washing, proper waste disposal, water treatment in managing cholera cases in the state.
According to her, “45 communities reported cholera outbreaks in five local government areas in 2020.”
Mrs Emonena said; “414 cases and 15 deaths were recorded in five local government areas, namely Bomadi, Burutu, Ughelli, Patani and Ughelli North in 2020.
“In 2021, there was an outbreak in five local government areas, with 264 cases and 13 deaths recorded.
“Local government areas affected were Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Patani, Warri South and Warri North.”
The director stressed the need for stakeholders’ collaboration toward ending cholera and improving public health.
Mrs Emonena added that political actors must go beyond action plans to funding cholera preparedness and response plan.
The workshop outcome includes the establishment of the Delta State WASH Emergency Working Group and the development of a Cholera Preparedness and Response Plan.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says no fewer than 583 Nigerians died of cholera in 2022.
It said that 23, 550 cases were reported from across 32 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, between January and November 2022.
NAN/ Mercy Chukwudiebere
