By Richard Elesho
Lokoja – No fewer than 24 people were killed and 471,000 others displaced by the recent floods that ravaged 10 Local Government Areas in Kogi State.
The waters also swept farmlands in 514 communities and destroyed 92 health facilities in those places.
Dr Zakaria Usman,the state Commissioner of Health gave the details at a Press Briefing in Lokoja, Tuesday.
He called on the international community, corporate bodies and individuals to come to the aid of the victims.
He said the call became imperative to support government’s effort in meeting the health and consumables needs of the victims.
The Commissioner lamented the effect of the floods on the livelihood of the people and said in as much as the water has started receding, it has left behind huge health implications for the state.
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Usman disclosed that as part of Health Sector response by the state, it set up call rapid team in the Ministry of Health, working with some partners in area of programming even as Emergency Centers have been made functional.
He said medical personnel are intervening in the 84 known IDPs, hinting that some of the IDP camps were faith-based and people aggregating themselves within the vicinity of homes destroyed.
He added that WHO has been very helpful since the flood disaster occurred out on the 24th, September, 2022, as it set up 10 mobile teams consisting four Health care workers who have been trained to mount appropriate response to health challenges.
He explained that the ministry had mapped out strategy to mitigate against anticipated outbreak of cholera and diarhea and other water borne diseases, saying that the state is yet to record these diseases.
He commended the World Health Organisation for the donation of 90 inter agency kits for the treatment of 900,000 patients, drugs , Rapid Diagnostic for Cholera and Malaria and other items. He also commended National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA and SEMA for assisting the victims.
