CHOLERA CASES DROP AS FCTA MAKES CONCERTED EFFORTS TO CHECK SPREAD

L-R Director of Public Health, FCTA, Dr Saddique Abdulrahman and the Ag Secretary, Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr Muhammed Kawu at the press briefing on the containment of Cholera outbreak in the FCT

1.    The number of cholera cases in the Federal Capital Territory, has dropped following concerted efforts by the FCT Administration to combat the spread of the disease.

2.    Acting Secretary, Health and Human Services Secretariat (HHSS), Dr. Mohammad Kawu disclosed this at a news briefing held following a meeting of the FCT Emergency Operations Center (EOC)of the Secretariat with the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammed Musa Bello on Friday, July 7^th 2021

3.    Dr. Kawu attributed the drop to the collaborative efforts of relevant offices in the HHSS as well as the FCT Water Board and the Abuja Environmental Protection Board.

4.    The Acting Secretary who also disclosed that residents displaying symptoms of the disease were being treated for free in FCTA health facilities, said adequate drugs and other medical consumables have been made available in those facilities.

5.    He said: “We have repositioned treatment, drugs, other consumables in all the health facilities in affected areas and all secondary healthcare facilities in the FCT so that anybody that has diarrhea is treated free.

6.    He added “We have also provided water and sanitation in the affected areas by working with the FCT Water Board, FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) and the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB)”.

7.    Dr. Kawu described cholera as a disease t closely associated with poor hygiene and appealed to residents to make extra efforts to ensure proper cleaning of their environment and cultivate good sanitary habits.

8.    The Acting Secretary explained that there were 69 fatalities from over 1000 confirmed cases of the disease in the FCT while the other victims have been treated and discharged from health facilities.

9.    He disclosed that Bwari Area Council has been identified as the epicenter of the outbreak in the FCT followed by the Abuja Municipal Area Council and reiterated that measures have been put in place to prevent recurrence.

10.     In his words “It is gratifying to note that all the affected communities have been visited and we have told them what they need to do to prevent this cholera outbreak”.

11.   He added “It appears, and it is clear that they have understood what we told them and they have taken those decisions and they are doing those things and that’s why the cases have come down”.

12.   Speaking on the spike of COVID -19 cases across the country, Dr Kawu said that the FCT was prepared for a possible third wave saying that the FCT had not dismantled any of the structure put in place to fight the virus.

13.    The Acting Secretary said “Our treatment centres are intact and we have piped oxygen. We have also repaired our oxygen plant in Asokoro.  Our health workers have been trained and they are on ground. So we are prepared.

14.    “Most importantly,  Dr Kawu added “we continue to advocate and advise the populace to continue with the non-pharmaceutical preventive measures that are in place, that is wearing of face mask, social and physical distancing, washing of hands regularly with water and soap and or hand sanitizers and avoiding crowded areas.

15.    Also present at the briefing was the Director of Public Health,  Dr Saddique Abdulrahman.

ANTHONY OGUNLEYE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

30/07/2021

FCTA/OCPS/PR/252