Cholera Crisis in Nigeria, NCDC's Dr. Muntari Hassan Urges Vigilance and Hygiene to Prevent Further Deaths
Dr. Muntari Hassan, the National Incident Manager for Cholera at the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has highlighted the severity of the ongoing cholera outbreak in Nigeria, emphasizing that the disease is both preventable and treatable. "Nobody should die of cholera," he stated emphatically during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday.
The current outbreak has claimed 54 lives, with 1,579 cases reported across 32 states and 115 local government areas. Dr. Hassan noted that Nigeria remains a cholera-endemic country, which necessitated the NCDC's "dynamic risk assessment" to address the crisis.
He stressed the importance of a coordinated response to manage epidemics, not just cholera. To this end, NCDC’s Director General, Jide Idris, has established an emergency operation center and appointed an incident manager to oversee the multi-sectoral response, which includes collaboration with federal ministries and partners like UNICEF.
Addressing the root causes, Dr. Hassan pointed out that cholera persists due to ongoing issues with water sanitation and hygiene. He called for increased surveillance, laboratory confirmation, and the establishment of well-equipped cholera treatment centers.
Dr. Hassan also highlighted efforts by various federal ministries, particularly the Ministry of Water Resources, to combat cholera. He urged Nigerians to practice good hygiene and ensure their drinking water is safe, noting, “We don’t need money to wash our hands.”
The most affected states currently are Abia, Lagos, and Bayelsa. Despite access to portable water, poor sanitation remains a significant risk factor for contamination.
To educate the public on cholera prevention, the NCDC has developed community engagement practices and informative jingles. Dr. Hassan expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to tackle the cholera crisis, reiterating that the disease is preventable and treatable.
He concluded by advising Nigerians to take personal responsibility for hygiene and safe drinking water, while calling for increased investment in sanitation at both federal and state levels.
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