J4PD Expresses Worry Over Possible Outbreak of Water Borne Diseases across Bauchi

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

As flood continues to ravage communities in Bauchi State, leading to contaminated sources of drinking waters, a Bauchi-based Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Journalists for Public Health and Development Initiative (J4PD) has expressed its concerns over possible outbreak of water borne diseases across the State.

A statement issued by the Knowledge Management and Communication (KMC) Advisor of J4PD, Bashir Hassan Abubakar which was made available to journalists Tuesday called on the relevant state authorities to take proactive measures in tackling possible outbreak of diseases resulting from the flooding.

Executive Director of J4PD, Elizabeth Kah said that, taking proactive measures in decontaminating sources of water, especially in rural areas that were ravaged by flood disasters would curtail the spread of preventable diseases in such communities.

The ED particularly called on the State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA) to liaise with sister Agencies like the Bauchi Water Corporation, State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA) and other line MDAs to fashion out ways of preventing disease outbreaks.

Kah further enjoined flood prone communities to assist the authorities by boiling water, using alum and other water treatment coagulants at the household level.

She said J4PD is ready to collaborate with both state and Non-state partners in the implementation of community-based approach to improve healthcare promotion at the community level.