Again, Abuja has witnessed another phase of cholera outbreak, with over five hundred suspected cases, of which eight laboratory investigations have confirmed the presence of the infectious disease.
This information was revealed yesterday by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, further stating there’s currently a collaboration with the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency on interventions to end the infliction of the disease in Abuja.
As contained in the statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media, Abubakar Sani, to the Minister of FCT, Mohammad Bello, he said the administration had taken several measures to stop the spread of Cholera and provide the highest level of care to those affected by the dreadful disease.
He said FCTA already took some of the measures from early May 2021, when the administration started getting reports of diarrheal infection around the city and its neighbouring environments.
The SSA hinted that there’s continuous surveillance on communities with suspected cases. The inspection is conducted in the six area councils of the FCT to confirm the prevalence of Cholera.
Meanwhile, the FCTA held a high-level engagement with all the Six Area councils chairmen, religious and traditional leaders in all the councils, to see how they can tackle the spread of cholera.
Also, the FCTA has ensured the public’s sensitisation through the media on all issues concerning the cholera outbreak and preventive measures.
“We attempted the formation of Cholera Emergency Operation Centres and appointment of an Incidence Manager and other relevant medical personnel along with Stakeholders from the FCT Water Board, Abuja Environmental Protection Board and Rural Water and Sanitation Agency, RUWASA.” He said.
FCTA also pre-positioned drugs and consumables for the free treatment of all identified cases in both Secondary and Primary Care Facilities.
He said that FCTA had provided free portable water through water tankers from the FCT Water Board to all affected communities.
Sani also said that the administration had embarked on the training and sensitisation of Health Care Providers in secondary and Primary Healthcare facilities, including some private ones.
He said that all communities that recorded outbreaks of Cholera are being visited and monitored by relevant medical personnel and other stakeholders.