By Kemi Olatunde

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has donated Infection and Prevention Control (IPC) materials to the Ondo State Ministry of Health as part of efforts to help in the preparedness against a cholera outbreak.

Speaking during the donation in Akure on Tuesday, Ondo State Coordinator for the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Dele David, noted that their organization has always been at the forefront of preventing outbreaks and deaths in communities and among healthcare workers, which, according to him, necessitated the donation of the IPC materials for the safety of residents.

The WHO State Coordinator said further that the organization has always been sustaining the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) during and after epidemics for proper planning and informed decisions.

He also explained that WHO has been supporting pillars to develop action plans in case of any outbreak, adding that it has integrated with communities in the state to create awareness on diseases through community and media engagement.

Dr. David assured of WHO’s continued support to states in the country to ensure the highest sustainable level of health for all Nigerians through collaboration with both government and other partners in the health sector.

Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Awolowo, while receiving the materials, emphasized that the state had recorded two cases of cholera in March this year, stating that the state was able to curtail the outbreak in Okitipupa Local Government Area as a result of its preparedness to combat the disease.

He stated that the state was ready to combat any case of cholera as it has activated its surveillance in the 203 wards and the 18 Local Government Areas. Disease Surveillance Notification officers are actively searching and testing for cases of vomiting and diarrhea.

The Commissioner lauded the commitment of the Governor of the state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in providing an Emergency Preparedness Fund to tackle the scourge of cholera in the state within the shortest period of an outbreak.

Speaking on the donation from the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Awolowo appreciated the organization for their support for Ondo State, emphasizing their activities during the Owo Massacre, where the World Health Organization Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, relocated to Ondo State and provided drugs, health commodities, and equipment for the victims of the massacre.

The Commissioner said the donated materials would help to fight the scourge of cholera and other epidemic-prone diseases such as Lassa fever, adding that it would protect health workers in the state.

The State Logistician, Pharm. Courage Oyeto, confirmed that the state has received 15 cartons of aprons (PEP gowns), 15 cartons of face shields, 46 cartons of Medline isolation gowns, 25 cartons of large examination gloves, and 52 cartons of medical face masks.

Pharm. Oyeto opined that the donated materials would boost the preparedness of the state towards the fight against cholera and other infectious diseases and also prevent the spread of the disease.