joshua
The history of humanity is characterised with one disaster or the other. It could erupt through natural or man induced means. Every generation has to grapple with its tragedies in form of outbreak of infectious diseases that have potential to wipe out human existence from the surface of the earth.
These disasters could be in form of earthquakes, fire tragedies, wars and outbreak of epidemics of pandemic nature, but one thing that separates serious nations and states from the unserious is her level of preparedness for the eventuality.
Nigeria and indeed Kogi State have not been insulated from these malaise of turning heats against humanity.
Before the advent of this Administration of Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello in 2016, HIV/AIDS have hit the state below the belt like many other states across the country.
However, on assumption of office, Gov. Bello launched an attack on the pandemic, with resounding low prevelance rate recorded in short span of the administration.
But, it was not yet over for the state, as other infectious diseases like, Lassa fever, Covid 19 pandemic measles and other unknown diseases have attacked the state.
However, when Cholera broke out in some parts of the state earlier in the year, the Government had already, a working template to fighting such diseases, swung into action and nipped it in the bud with low fatalities.
The Government in conjunction with World Health Organisation , on Tuesday assembled, Traditional Rulers , Market women, religious bodies , Doctors and all critical stakeholders to a town Hall meeting at the Government House in Lokoja to sensitize the public of their roles in preventing the spread of cholera.
In his remarks through zoom, the Country Representative of the World Health Organisation, Walter Kazadi Wulomo , appreciated the efforts of Government and people of the State for its proactiveness and quick response in fighting Cholera to a standstill.
He lauded the high coverage rate already recorded in the administration of covid-19 vaccine while urging the Government to consolidate on her fight against cholera and covid-19 through sustained vaccination.
The WHO Country Director urged the State Government to prioritise its intervention in addressing the urgent need for more Laboratories, reagents and in the effective surveillance against cholera.
Wulomo promised WHO support to the state in area of Policies interventions and implementation in the health sector, while assuring of her continued support for the State in strengthening capacity, Health emergencies and coverage of cholera and other deadly diseases.
Meanwhile, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello represented by his Deputy, Chief Edward Onoja called on residents to always observe environmental and Water Sanitation, as well as Personal hygiene
He however noted that despite that cholera has remained a global threats to public health,the state would not relent in embarking on proactive strategy on early detection, confirmation, and effective response at combating the diseases.
He said since assumption of office, Governor Bello has placed a high premium on Health as a thematic area of focus, increasing the State’s Health Financing Fiscal Space, investing heavily on Health Infrastructures, Health workforce, and capacity building to improve service delivery, procurement, and distribution of essential medicines, electronic data capturing and tracking system to improve the Health Sector.
He disclosed that cholera across the country is on the increase due to poor access to clean water, open defecation, poor sanitation and hygiene, stressing that Kogi’s almost-zero active case is hinged on multifaceted approaches such as effective sensitisation modalities, response mechanisms, robust surveillance, and healthy collaboration with major stakeholders to contain the diseases.
Speaking further he said, for the determination of the government to meet the health needs of the citizenry, it has to embark on aggressive recruitment of medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other health workers and also with Kogi leading the pack in the implementation of a Revised Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) for doctors.
In his welcome address, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Saka Audu lamented the poor personal and environmental hygiene of the people which he said could give room to the outbreak of Cholera
The commissioner said over 3000 persons that have died to the cholera across the country would have been alive today, if all hands were on deck to observe simple personal and environmental hygiene, saying ” it was worrisome that every season we come together to mourn a disease that is supposed to be preventable.”
He disclosed that the present Government has invested heavily on the health of the people as the ugly narrative of renal diseases would be a thing of the past by the time the construction and equipping of five reference renal hospitals across the state are completed.
While calling on the stakeholders to act positively, he gave assurance that the defeat of cholera like any other before it is in focus.
In their separate comments, the Ejeh Dekina , HRH Usman Obaje and Secretary to the state Government, SSG Dr. Ayoade Folahade Arike Commended the Government for prompt responses to the challenge of Cholera and called on citizens to observe basic personal and environmental hygiene.
