Ogun State government on Monday acknowledged the outbreak of cholera in some parts of the state, with one death from 25 cases so far recorded.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, disclosed this at a press conference at the Olusegun Osoba Press Centre, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Coker, who alongside her Environment counterpart, Mr. Ola Oresanya, addressed the press conference said the 25 cases were reported in seven local government areas with one death.
She named the local governments to include Ado-Odo/Ota, Remo North, Odeda, Sagamu, Ijebu-North, Ewekoro and Obafemi-Owode.
Coker, however, expressed the readiness and determination of the state government to contain the spread of the disease effectively and efficiently.
According to Dr. Coker, her Ministry is collaborating with relevant stakeholders from the Ministries of Environment, Information and Education, Water Corporation, private hospital owners, emergency services, among others to tackle the epidemic.
She said : “Emergency Operations Centre, having been activated earlier, is now in response mode, each MDA involved in the response is carrying out its responsibilities to curtail and control the outbreak.
“The Ministry and local government areas, waste, and environmental sanitation department is carrying out activities to curb open defecation and improve environmental hygiene.
“Medication and essential consumables have been repositioned at LGAs and other strategic health facilities to provide hitch free, quality treatment that is free in all government facilities.
“Cholera sanitation materials are being shared to all electronic platforms, including social media, radio, and television.
“The Ministry of Information and the risk communication pillar are working hard to engage the public on prevention practices, good hygiene, and sanitation.”
The Commissioner identified contaminated food and drinks, unhygienic sanitary conditions and poor personal hygiene as some of the risk factors of the disease.
She implored the people to imbibe hand hygiene, washing of food, vegetables, fruits properly before eating as well as avoid open defecation so as not to contact the sickness.
Coker noted that the state government was aware of the threat posed by the outbreak and was at all times at alert by putting in place adequate preparation to protect the lives and health of all residents.
According to her, this has helped to minimize the impact of the outbreak when compared with other states.
The commissioner emphasized that the federal government through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has been supportive in the areas of technical assistance and in supplying protective wears to health officials.
While calling on the general public to visit any government health facility for proper examination if they pass watery stool more than twice within eight hours, the commissioner urged them to call the following telephone numbers 08038642812; 07034214893 and 08084250881 for prompt response.
Contributing, Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya, noted that since cholera is a water and food borne disease, his Ministry has despatched its officials with testing kits to test boreholes and other sources of water supply, just as attention would be paid to those producing sachets water.
The environment commissioner also disclosed that public toilets are being built across the state to discourage open defecation while landlords and house owners are being encouraged to provide toilet facilities in their houses.
The representative of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Oluwole Majekodunmi, said monitoring of schools has been intensified with teachers and learners being encouraged to make hand washing a habit while the environment should be kept clean at times.
Also speaking, General Manager, Ogun State Water Corporation, Engr (Mrs.) Muinat Jaji, said government has procured enough chemical for water treatment in major water works in the State.
She also stated that water supply has been increased from 82 million litres to 162 million litres to ensure that people in Abeokuta have access to portable water. (vitalnewsngr.com)
