Grace Edema
The United Nations Children’s Fund says children under the age of five are particularly vulnerable to severe dehydration and higher mortality rates during cholera outbreaks.
In a statement by the Chief of UNICEF Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucrier, on Saturday, it was noted that addressing the challenges of cholera outbreaks requires a deliberate focus on state policies to provide high-standard water and sanitation facilities.
Also needed, she noted, is strengthened healthcare systems capable of responding to the demand in times of outbreaks.
Lafoucrier added that the state should lead educational campaigns on cholera prevention to protect children and the population at large.
She stated, “Recurrent Cholera outbreaks critically affect children and populations at large. These vulnerable groups face substantial health risks, particularly those under five who are prone to severe dehydration and higher mortality rates.
“Educational disruption is yet another critical consequence of cholera outbreaks, as illness and the need to care for sick family members lead to school closures and reduced attendance, hindering children’s learning and development.
“Similarly, post-recovery issues in children can include malnutrition, stunted growth, and weakened immune systems, increasing susceptibility to other diseases,” she said.
The UNICEF chief noted that sustainable WASH infrastructure strengthened health systems capable of anticipating epidemics and effective community engagement strategies were crucial to halt transmission.
Lafoucrier explained that the WASH infrastructure includes enhancing water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure, implementing rapid surveillance, promoting social mobilisation, administering treatment, and utilising oral cholera vaccines.
She added, “Ultimately, preventing cholera centres on good sanitation and hygiene practices. Key actions include proper disposal of faeces, eliminating open defecation, and ensuring access to potable water. Regular handwashing with clean, running water and soap is vital.
“Additionally, avoiding the consumption of uncooked vegetables, unwashed fruits, raw or undercooked seafood, and food from street vendors is important to reduce the risk of cholera infection.”
She maintained that increasing access to safe drinking water, improving sanitation and hygiene, and better water management could prevent almost one-tenth of the global disease burden.
While speaking on how disease outbreaks could affect Nigeria’s progress in achieving SDG three, Lafoucrier said, “Disease outbreaks ultimately hinder Nigeria’s progress in achieving health-related Sustainable Development Goals.
“These outbreaks strain Nigeria’s health system, diverting limited resources from essential services like routine immunisations and maternal and childcare, undermining universal health coverage.”
She emphasised that good water and sanitation infrastructure can play a crucial role in reducing disease outbreaks, such as cholera, which causes an estimated 100,000 deaths annually.
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