Hon. FALEKE URGE NIGERIANS TO TAKE CHOLERA OUTBREAK SERIOUSLY

A member representing (Ikeja Federal Constituency) Honorable James
Faleke, has advised Nigerians to treat the outbreak of cholera in some parts of the country with same level of seriousness accorded in handling COVID-19 pandemic.
Faleke, while speaking with journalists in an interview in Lagos on Monday, said the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) recently reported 53 deaths due to cholera outbreak in the country. He urged citizens to be more careful with what they eat and drink,
especially during this period of cholera outbreak. Also, the Director-General of NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, noted that the Federal Government had activated the National Emergency Operation Centre for cholera.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Prof. Akin Abayomi, has reported 25 severe gastroenteritis cases, possibly due to cholera, at Kirikiri Medium Security Prison.This revelation contradicts the Nigerian Correctional Service’s (NCoS) assertion on June 26, 2024, that no cholera cases were present in custodial centers nationwide.

NCoS spokesman, Abubakar Umar, had earlier assured that strict hygienic measures in correctional facilities were keeping cholera at bay.  However, Prof. Abayomi’s statement highlighted a small outbreak of severe gastroenteritis confirmed as cholera at Kirikiri Prison. Urgent medical and environmental interventions have since been implemented.

Health officials have since supplied intravenous fluids, infection prevention supplies, and other medical consumables at Kirikiri Prison.  The World Health Organization has also donated 10,000 doses of pharmaceuticals to support the prison’s health facilities, immediate
water and sanitation issues have been addressed, and other correctional facilities are under inspection.
The Lagos State government said it is intensifying public health campaigns, urging residents to adhere to hygiene practices and seek early medical intervention when symptoms arise.

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