Health
AN expert in development strategies, Michael Ale, has advised the Federal and State Governments to urgently engage professionals in finding immediate solution to the cholera outbreak in parts of the country.
Ale, who is the Founder, Global Initiative for Nigeria Development, an NGO, gave the advice in a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti and made available to newsmen on Sunday.
According to him, apparent lapses in development plans and strategies, particularly resulting in poor access to portable, safe water, heavy flooding and the lack of post-epidemic surveillance, among other factors, is largely responsible for the outbreak of the disease.
He said, as an expert, he was moved by the deadly health hazards, which the epidemic had posed to many lowly placed Nigerians, and more of possible negative consequences, if drastic actions were not taken in record time.
“Nigeria is prone to a variety of factors that lead to recurring cholera outbreaks.
“These include the lack of access to potable (safe to drink) water.
“Safe water is needed to maintain good hygiene practices.
“Other factors are the lack of continued surveillance, even after the outbreak had ended, flooding, poverty (although currently cholera treatment is free in all government facilities).
“The rest are the lack of health facilities and infrastructure for water supply and waste disposal, illiteracy and conflict, leading to overcrowded conditions for displaced people,” Ale said.
He said that beyond inviting professionals for intervention, “Government at all levels must realise that prevention against future occurrence would always depend on the volume of access to clean water, sanitation, proper waste disposal, personal hygiene, food safety practices, community engagement and awareness campaigns on how to prevent cholera infection.
“Nearly more than half of Nigeria’s population do not have access to basic water supply.
“This is partly because of the loopholes in the law.
“The bitter truth is that government alone cannot supply Nigerians, safe water.
“Government should involve the private sector players in their planning and intervention to achieve result,” Ale said.
He also said: “Aside administering vaccines to persons in highly endemic area, it’s important that Government invites private practitioners in the drilling of boreholes to immediately undertake professional drilling in areas, where water is scarce.
“Cholera outbreak is a sign of underfunding of the water sector in Nigeria, perhaps the funding was misappropriated.
“This needs to be looked into proactively.
“Because of it’s endemic nature, Water Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) experts all over the world will readily be available to render pro bono service in areas of great concern, once called upon.
“The WASH Practitioners Without Border should also form part of the emergency interventions and they will be expected to help in supervising and drilling of boreholes as well as assist in properly sanitising contaminated boreholes.”
Ale also created public enlightenment on the causes and prevention of cholera through his organisation’s awareness campaign.
He warned against errors, capable of making the epidemic to spread.
He said: “Contaminated water and not filtering and boiling unsafe water before drinking, or drinking sachet water that is not treated, can cause cholera.
“It also spreads when an infected persons defecate outside, and contaminated faeces are washed into the water system that people drink from.
Ale further warned against indiscriminate dumping of refuse and irregular disposal of sewage, enabling flies to carry the bacteria to water or food.
He advised against overcrowded conditions, such as internally displaced persons’ camps, refugees and prisons, with no access to safe water.
He said that food handlers, who prepare drinks, such as tigernut or zobo, with contaminated water, can also spread cholera too.
“The Lagos State Government recently mentioned these local drinks, as suspected sources of the latest outbreak.
“Nonetheless, it is still an embarrassment to the government to have cholera in 2024, meaning Nigerians should expect other related water-borne diseases.
“Cholera is a sign of poverty, which is identified with low life style.
“The 1991 rate was high, due to very poor sanitation and hygiene strategies.
“Little or no surveillance was in place, and there was no community engagement or education on the dangers of the disease.
“This situation must not be allowed to repeat itself,” Ale said. (NAN)
July 1, 2024
Tags: cholera
