Cholera: Kebbi Health Ministry embarks on sensitization campaign in 21 LGAS

The Kebbi State Ministry of Health and other stakeholders have embarked on a sensitization excercise in all the 21 local government areas, in order to curtail the spread of cholera outbreak in the state.

This was sequel to the directives of Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu mandating the Ministry of Health to embark on the sensitization campaign to enlighten communities on the pandemic and the proactive preventive measures to take against the disease.

The Commissioner of Health, Hon. Jafar Muhammad, stated this at the flag-of the sensitization excercise at Emir’s Palace in Argungu.

Honourable Jafar expressed appreciation with the physical presence of Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Mohammed Mera at the flagg off of the sensitization campaign, describing it as timely in view of the importance of traditional rulers to their subjects.

He averred : ” The purpose of the visit was in response of the directive by His Excellency, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, for the Ministry to go round the State to sensitise the public on recent cholera outbreak .”

The Commissioner said after the Flag-Off excercise, officials of the Ministry and other stakeholders would reach out to all the 21 local government areas of the state for massive sensitization excercise on the disease.

According him, the general public would be sensitized on the preventive measures like regular washing of the hands thoroughly before and after eating, the health hazards of open defecation and the required depth needed to dig a well in order to avoid contamination.

Other measures, he mentioned include, keeping away from infected persons, while people were advised to quickly rush to the hospital when they notice symptoms like ;Diarrhoea,vomiting and fever.

The Commissioner then handed over drugs and enlightenment pamphlets to the representative of local Government Chairman, who eventually handed over to the Director of Health of the Local Government, urging him to work in synergy with the State Rapid Response Team of the Ministry.

One of the speakers, Yusuf Umar Sauwa, who is the State Health Educator added ,” because of the concern Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has over the outbreak of Cholera in the state, the Health officials would not rest on their toes until the situation was totally brought under control.

” Let me inform you that , the governor is not taking this pendemic lightly.

” The state government was doing its best to keep Kebbi state safe from cholera,” he averred.

He also advised the people on how to adopt preventive measures, especially keeping their environment clean.

” Don’t drink unboiled water or water from uncleaned source, always wash your hands thoroughly and regularly. Don’t defecate outside, in the open, always use toilet.

” Make sure that your well is deep and well covered, Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS), is also recommended as first aid,” he advised.

The representative of World Health Organization, WHO, Dr. Alhasan Hamisu Dama, highlighted some important health tips which he called,” (How to know cholera). ”

He said that, frequent vomiting and diarrhoea are the most common symptoms of Cholera pendemic.

Dama warned the public to avoid home treatment, because of the fatal and contagious nature of the disease to humans.

The Representative of Water Resources Department,Alhaji Hamisu Arzika, also made his contribution towards safe drinking water.

He said ‘ Water Resources Department has built many potable water boreholes and toilets across the state and provided chemicals for water treatment.”

His Royal Highness , the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Mohammed Mera, appreciated the quick response of the state government for taking serious action against the pendemic.

The monarch commeded Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for his swift response against the Cholera pandemic.

He also thanked the Commissioner of Health, members his health Team, as well as the Chairman of Argungu local government.

The Emir enumerated some factors responsible for the outbreak of Cholera as lack of toilet facilities, lack of good source of potable water and lack of adequate sanitization.

The State Government Sensitization team comprised, Commissioner of Health, Right Hon. Jafar Muhammad, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Hassan Ibrahim Maigandi,
Director, Public Health , Abubakar Bagudu,Director, Medical Services, Dr. Shehu Nuhu Koko and Director , Pharmaceutical Services, Musa Kakale.

Others were: Director, Inspectorate Services, Isah Bako Tondi,
State DSNO, Murtala Jibirin,
State Health Educator, Yusuf Umar Sauwa, representative of World Health Organization, WHO, Dr. Alhassan Hamisu and representative of Ministry of Water Resources, Alhaji Hamisu Arzika.