Janet Ogundepo
Following the outbreak of cholera at the Kirikiri prison, the World Health Organisation has stepped in by donating pharmaceutical products for treatment and to forestall further spread.
The additional support was announced by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi while giving an update on the cholera outbreak in the state.
He stated, “We were able to supply Kirikiri medium prison with intravenous fluids, infection prevention, and other health consumables.
“Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has donated 10,000 doses of pharmaceuticals which have been delivered to the prison to support prison health facilities with prevention strategies for about 3,200 inmates if required.
“Immediate water and sanitation issues have been corrected, and there is ongoing inspections of other correctional facilities in the state,” the commissioner said.
Abayomi also revealed that the recent cholera outbreak in Lagos stemmed from unregulated street beverages and contaminated water supplies, identified as the primary sources two weeks ago.
The commissioner, however, announced a significant improvement in daily cholera cases from the spike reported two weeks ago and also acknowledged evidence of ongoing low-grade community transmission, noting that few cases were still presenting to hospitals.
He disclosed that while no new deaths attributable to cholera had been reported in the past 72 hours, the government was escalating efforts to eradicate transmission entirely.
The commissioner explained that the decrease in new daily cases and the absence of recent deaths showed that interventions were yielding results.
He underscored the importance of adhering to public health information and advice regarding safety measures and seeking prompt medical care when symptoms arise and cholera is suspected
Abayomi disclosed that the state government is utilizing its interagency “One Health” approach, to implement environmental health measures alongside the Lagos Water Corporation and sanitation agencies.
These measures, he said, include “widespread sanitation efforts, inspection and disinfection of boreholes, provision of safe drinking water to affected local governments, and enforcement of stricter regulations on local beverage manufacturers.
“Henceforth and as approved by Mr Governor, a higher sanitary and regulatory standard of eateries, food handlers, beverage manufacturers and groundwater will be implemented and enforced to curb the burden of food and water-borne diseases in Lagos.”
The commissioner, while stressing the importance of ongoing vigilance and compliance with public health precautions, reassured the public that there was no cause for panic and expressed confidence that through ongoing collaboration, vigilance, and commitment from all stakeholders, the state will effectively combat and control the spread of cholera.
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