Amid the cholera outbreak sweeping through Lagos State, Comfort Ajayi, a mother of three, vigilantly safeguards her family’s health. She emphasizes hygiene and educates her children on responsible living during this critical time.
Health authorities declared the outbreak on June 15, 2024, with over 500 suspected cases and 43 confirmed cases within days. Sadly, the suspected cases have seen a 5.4% fatality rate, underscoring the severity of the infection.
Cholera, highly infectious yet treatable, demands urgent hydration therapy. Prevention hinges on clean water access, sanitation improvements, and vaccination campaigns. In response, Nigerian health authorities, backed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, are mobilizing community health teams. Their efforts span from public education to clinical interventions, aiming to curb transmission effectively.
Collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and partner organizations strengthens sanitation drives and outbreak containment efforts, according to Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi. Local communities, especially in hard-hit areas like Eti Osa, benefit from health education initiatives and support from field volunteers.
Dr. Chinenye Okafor, WHO’s State Coordinator, leads community-based initiatives that include training, mentorship, advocacy, and bolstered surveillance and treatment capabilities. Over 350 field volunteers, supported by WHO, conduct education campaigns, actively trace cases, and mentor primary healthcare providers to reduce illness and death.
Amid these efforts, the WHO has provided essential supplies and funding, including cholera kits, underscoring international support for local responses. Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Representative in Nigeria, emphasizes the collaborative effort needed to control the outbreak effectively, stressing the importance of surveillance, sanitation, and vaccination.
For Basirat Tanimu, a resident of Eti Osa, initial uncertainty about cholera prevention has given way to confidence, thanks to health workers’ guidance. She now advocates tirelessly for clean environments, echoing the community’s determination to protect lives amid adversity.
