..advocates provision of clean  Water, Sanitation facilities

 
Owing to the current outbreaks of cholera disease in some states in Nigeria, notably Lagos state which has claimed the lives of people, leaving others hospitalized, the United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF has called on states governments to intensify efforts at bolstering Healthcare systems to combat the outbreaks.

The UNICEF Chief Field Officer for the Southwest,  in Lagos office,  Céline Lafourrière, gave the charge in response to the cholera outbreaks.

 In her message which was made available to JATS Online Newspaper by the UNICEF Communication Officer in Lagos office, Mrs. Blessing Ejiofor, Lafourrière highlighted critical consequences of recurrent cholera outbreaks, which according to her, highly affects children and the vulnerable groups. 

“These vulnerable groups face substantial health risks, particularly those under five years old who are prone to severe dehydration and higher mortality rates.

“Educational disruptions is yet  another critical consequence of cholera outbreaks, as illness and the need to care for sick family members lead to reduced school attendance and school closures in the worst cases that hinders children’s learning and their development.

“Similarly, and very importantly,  post-recovery issues in children can include malnutrition, stunted growth, and weakened  immune system that increase susceptibility to other diseases”. She said.

Calling on governments on the need to promptly arrest the situation, the UNICEF Chief Officer asserted that the outbreaks underscored the urgent need for improved access to clean water and sanitation in many areas. 

She averred that despite the state government’s effort to provide water for its population, the current outbreak demonstrates the need for an urgent provision of water that is clean and risk-free.

 Her words: “Addressing the challenges of cholera  outbreaks requires a deliberate focus of state policies to provide high standard water and  sanitation facilities, as well as strengthened healthcare systems that are capable of responding  to the demand in times of outbreaks, and state-led educational campaigns on cholera prevention to protect children and the populations at large”.

It would be recalled that the Lagos state government confirmed the death of 15 people reportedly killed by cholera out of the 350 suspected cases in the state this month.

According to a statement released on Saturday by the Lagos State Ministry of health,  Commissioner for Health Professor Akin Abayomi revealed that 350 suspected cases of cholera were reported in 29 wards across multiple LGAs in Lagos State with 17 confirmed cases and 15 fatalities so far.

The statement, signed by the ministry’s Director of Public Affairs, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo quotes the Commissioner thus: “The laboratory investigation and test results have so far confirmed Cholera sub-type O-1. This subtype is associated with more severe disease. The pattern of new cases per day varies across LGAS, according to our ongoing surveillance and monitoring updates”.

Also, the Oyo State Government yesterday alerts its residents over suspected cholera outbreaks. This was as a result of two suspected cases recorded at a private hospital in Ibadan, the state capital.