The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has identified Zamfara, Cross River, Adamawa, and Ogun as states with the highest cholera cases in the country.
Dr Sebastian Yennan, NCDC’s Incident Manager of the Cholera Technical Working Group, made this announcement at the monthly meeting of the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Emergency Working Group on Tuesday in Abuja.
He stated that the cases were updates from the centre’s Epidemiology Week 39, and efforts were ongoing to provide response commodities to affected states across the country.
Yennan mentioned that NCDC’s intervention through cholera case management was carried out in partnership with WHO by distributing infection prevention and control kits, WASH kits, and chlorine powder, among others.
He noted that this intervention was being prioritised in the four states, mentioning that the distributed kits could also be used in emergency situations like Lassa fever and diphtheria outbreaks.
“The NCDC has partnered with a third-party logistics company in the distribution of commodities and also to bring samples. Our cholera response is active in all 36 states and the FCT.
“In Zamfara, for instance, the governor visited the cholera treatment centre in Anka local government, which was built by Doctors Without Borders/MSF. They have received response commodities”.
He mentioned that states needed to do more to prioritize cholera prevention by ensuring that funds were budgeted early and accessible.
He added that the centre was in charge of the administration of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund.
The fund, Yenna said, was designed to strengthen the national health system, calling on states to preposition their needs to access it before, during, and after disease outbreaks.
He also urged all stakeholders to strengthen partnerships to promote advocacy for the prevention of health emergencies in the country.
Mr. Dapo Akingbade, a representative from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), mentioned that due to the release of excess water from the Lagdo dam in Cameroon, 13 states have experienced flooding.
He added that 171,545 people were displaced in the affected states, with property and farmlands destroyed and no fewer than 45 deaths.
Akingbade, while providing an update as of October 7, stated that the agency had commenced an assessment of the flood situation in Adamawa with the activation of the emergency operation centre for the coordination of interventions.
“The flooding in Adamawa has impacted a lot of people and communities. At the EOC meeting, we recommended that all states activate their flood response plans.
“Also, we are awaiting a detailed needs assessment report from Adamawa to know the appropriate areas for response by APC.”
The NEMA official emphasised the need for the WASH sector to be well-prepared, saying that collective responsibility was needed to mitigate the impact of emergency situations in the country.
Dr Edwin Isotu-Edeh, National Consultant, Public Health, and Environment, WHO Nigeria, emphasised the need for all partners to increase their investments in the WASH sector.
He stated that by investing in the WASH sector, cholera cases would be reduced.
He cited the example of Cross River State, which initially had a case fatality rate of 21 per cent but reduced it through investment and the One Health approach.
“WASH in emergencies goes beyond the distribution of commodities but involves dedicating funding support. If we invest in WASH, cholera cases will decrease.”
Earlier, Mr Ibiyemi Olu-Daniels, a Director from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, stressed the need for states to coordinate and take ownership of their challenges.
He urged the states not to rely solely on development partners in emergency situations.
He mentioned that the ministry would continue to support states through advocacy and coordination, urging the states to take responsibility for cholera preparedness and response planning.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Those accusing labour of being sold out illiterate — NLC President
Following the subsidy removal saga, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero has…
Atiku seeks Supreme Court’s nod to file fresh evidence against Tinubu
In his efforts to establish allegations of forgery and lying on oath against President Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in…
Tinubu’s certificate: See what technology has done to us!
Some of the questions are being asked on the controversy surrounding the President Tinubu’s certificate saga. They wonder why…
AY keeps mum on Basketmouth’s apology
The last may not have been heard about the feud between comedian, Ayo Makun, known as…
VIDEO: Kess’ wife accused me of having affair with him — Phyna
The winner of Big Brother Naija Level Up, Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, has revealed that her…
Peseiro invites Osimhen, Chukwueze, Iheanacho, 22 others for Saudi, Mozambique friendlies
Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro, has invited Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze and Kelechi Iheanacho of AC Milan of Italy and…
