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The Scourge of Cholera

IN the past few months, cholera has devastated about 22 states and the Federal Capital Territory,FCT, leaving sorrow and tragedy in its wake, as so many people died from the ailment.
THOUGH the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) leads a national response to mitigate the effects of the disease, it continues to spread, and earlier last week, officials discovered five suspected cholera cases in Ekiti State, Ondo’s northern neighbor.
OF course, no case has been recorded in this state, but the government has been taking steps to prevent an occurrence of the disease, such as the closure of 18 buildings in Akure for having unhygienic and unsanitary environment.
THE HOPE commends the Ondo State Waste Management Authority (ODSWMA) for securing court orders shutting down popular buildings within the Akure metropolis for unsanitary environments capable of endangering the health status of residents pertaining to cholera.
WITH dirty and untidy environments, cholera stands the chance of making an incursion into the state, complicating a situation already destabilized by the COVID-19 pandemic.
SINCE suspected cases of cholera exist in Ekiti State, the Ondo State government should be seen to be proactive at tackling cases of unhygienic and unsanitary environments, to forestall its spread into our cities.
WITH 31,425 suspected cases of cholera confirmed in 22 states and Abuja, measures taken by the state government against unhygienic practices assume a position of crucial importance, because the nation may be facing the return of a scourge that shook it in 1991, 2010, 2014, and 2018.
FOR instance, 43,996 cholera cases and 836 deaths occurred over the epidemic in 2018, a fatality rate of 1.9%, so if the state government doesn’t take proactive measures at this critical time, residents could find themselves in serious trouble.
ALREADY, health workers in affected states fear a rise in the number of cholera casualties on account of poor water and sanitation, so the state government is taking the right decision by coming down hard on institutions that are negligent on these issues.
UNFORTUNATELY, cholera persists during the rainy season, as a result of the washing of accumulated dirt into rivers and other sources of drinking water, and moves by the government to punish people who disobey environmental laws are in order, to prevent the occurrence of an epidemic.
NEEDLESS to say, pertinent measures halt the onset of cholera-induced diarrhea among the populace, as well as sudden death due to dehydration.
BESIDES, residents of the state would be spared the agony of committing their hard-earned money to the treatment of cholera, money that could have been used to cushion themselves against the challenges induced by the present economic depression in the country.
FURTHERMORE, a report titled 2021 SBM Health Preparedness Index saw Ondo, Cross River, Ogun, Lagos, and Kwara States as the top five most prepared states with regards to shying away from unsanitary and unhygienic practices.
WITH timely policies taken against the outbreak of a cholera epidemic, Ondo State will maintain its position as one of the states that have persistently resisted the spread of the disease, a situation that attracts investors.
THEREFORE, The Hope endorses every step taken by the government to prevent cholera making an incursion into this part of the world, but we have some suggestions to make the process even more efficient.
SINCE the risk of the disease entering Ondo State exists, as a result of its proximity to Ekiti State, the Ministry of Health through its publicity team should sensitize residents on proper hygiene and standard protocols for infection prevention and control.
THE state government should extend its zero-tolerance policy on institutions or persons who incessantly flout environmental regulations despite several warnings, as they could provide a gateway for the entrance of cholera.
TO put the state in a position of readiness in case of eventualities, health workers should be provided with oral hydration salts for patients who may be affected.
IN addition, the government should provide health workers with antibiotics and nutritional systems for residents, in case the dreaded disease defies all calculations to the contrary and makes an entrance into the state.
ALSO, residents should obey all environmental laws as well as avoid such dangerous activities as drinking unclean water, engaging in open defecation, and piling dirt around their environment.

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The Scourge  of Cholera

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