Cholera outbreak: Expert wants govt to seek professionals’ intervention, attributes epidemic to poor plans

An expert in development strategies, and founder of Global Initiative for Nigeria Development (GIND), an NGO, Mr Micheal Ale, has asked the Federal and State Governments to seek professionals’ intervention in the current cholera epidemic in parts of the country.

He submitted, in a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti on Friday that apparent lapses in development plans and strategies, particularly resulting in poor access to portable, safe water, heavy flooding and lack of post -epidemic surveillance among other factors, in most parts of the country, was largely responsible for the outbreak of the disease.

Ale said he was moved by the deadly health hazards, the epidemic had posed to thousands of lowly placed Nigerians, and possible negative consequences, if drastic actions were not taken.

“ Nigeria is prone to a variety of factors that lead to recurring cholera outbreaks. They include lack of access to potable (safe to drink) water. Safe water is needed to maintain good hygiene practices.

” Other factors are; lack of continued surveillance, even after the outbreak has ended; flooding; poverty (although currently cholera treatment is free in all government facilities); lack of health facilities; illiteracy; lack of infrastructure for water supply and waste disposal; and conflict, leading to overcrowded conditions for displaced people”, he said.

Proffering more solutions, aside inviting professionals for lasting intervention, Ale said: “ Governments at all levels must realise that prevention against future occurrence, would always depend on volume of access to clean water, sanitation, proper waste disposal, personal hygiene, food safety practices, community engagement, and information campaigns, on how to prevent cholera infection are important.

“ Nearly more than half of Nigerian’s population do not have access to a basic supply of water. This is partly because of loopholes in the law. The bitter truth is that government alone cannot supply Nigerians, Safe water. They are to involve private sector players in their planning and intervention, to achieve this”.

He also advised government to deploy effective means of engaging professionals , saying: “ Aside administering vaccines to persons in highly endemic area, it’s important that Nigeria Government invite private practitioners in Drilling of borehole 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 probono service in areas of great concern, once called upon.

” The need for the establishment of WASH Practitioner Without Border, should also form part of the emergency interventions, and they will be expected to help in supervising and drilling of Borehole, as well as assist in proper sanitizing of contaminated boreholes.”

Ale, who equally educated the populace on the causes and prevention of Cholera through his organization’s awareness campaign, listed, and 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 person, defecates outside, and contaminated faeces are washed into the water system that people drink from.

Ale also warned against indiscriminate dumping of refuse, and irregular disposal of sewage, enabling flies to carry the bacteria to water or food, urging them to also avoid
overcrowded conditions, such as internally displaced persons’ camps, refugees and prisons, with no access to safe water.

He said 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 on 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 “ he said .