SFH supports govt’s plan to curb spread of cholera- Official

SFH supports govt’s plan to curb spread of cholera- Official

Cholera

By Folasade Akpan

Abuja, June 28, 2024 (NAN) Society for Family Health (SFH), says it is supporting government at all levels in its efforts to curb the spread of cholera in Nigeria through its SFH ACCESS programme.

The Managing Director of SFH ACCESS, Dennis Aizobu, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that cholera, a severe diarrheal illness caused by consuming contaminated water, has claimed numerous lives and continues to pose a significant public health threat.

Aizobu said that the organisation’s support was in light of the recent cholera outbreak, adding that SFH ACCESS was committed to playing a pivotal role in mitigating the impact of the public health crisis.

“Access to clean and safe water is a fundamental human right, and in these times of crisis, it is essential to act swiftly and effectively,”

“We are fully committed to supporting the fight against cholera and ensuring that everyone has access to safe drinking water and health products.

He said that the mission of the programme was to ensure the healthy lives and well-being of communities, and in this critical time, it was supporting stakeholders with proactive solution measures to support affected areas and prevent the further spread of cholera.

According to him, the organisation has prioritised the distribution of Point of Use water treatment solution such as Waterguard Tank Disinfectant,Waterguard Plus and Procter and Gamble water purifier to  ensure safe and clean water.

He also said that the products were made available at subsidised rates to communities most at risk, ensuring that everyone has access to safe drinking water.

“In the last two weeks, our Point of Use water treatment solutions have treated over 50 million litres of water.

“These are mainly in the most affected states and other parts of the country. We are also ramping up production to meet the need of Nigerians in addressing this public health challenge,” he said.

Aizobu also said that SFH ACCESS was actively engaged in an extensive public awareness campaign to educate communities on the importance of using clean water and maintaining hygiene.

He also said that through various media channels, the organisation provides crucial information on how to use the water treatment products effectively and the best practices for preventing cholera.

“Our campaign also includes demonstrations to ensure comprehensive understanding.

“We are partnering with government, local health authorities, Non Governmentral Organisations and Civil Society Organisations to ensure a coordinated response through community awareness and sensitisation.

“By working together, we can reach more people and provide the necessary resources and support to those in need.

“This collaboration aims to strengthen local health systems and improve response times,” he added.

To enhance community engagement and support, Aizobu said the organisation’s teams were on ground in the most affected areas, conducting community engagement sessions to demonstrate the proper use of the solutions.

He also said that SFH was also providing support to healthcare workers including Primary Health care Centers, pharmacies and drug stores to enhance their efforts in controlling the outbreak.

“SFH ACCESS is committed to monitoring the situation closely and evaluating the effectiveness of our interventions.

“We will continue to adapt our strategies as needed to ensure maximum impact and will provide regular updates on our progress.

“This continuous feedback loop allows us to respond dynamically to the evolving situation.”

NAN reports that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has issued a public health alert, urging citizens to take necessary precautions.

According to the NCDC, 10 states: Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa and Lagos bear 90 per cent of the burden in the country, with 579 and 25 cases recorded in Lagos and Ogun states respectively and a current death toll of 53. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

FOF/EAL

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Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi