Victoria Mgbanwa
In response to growing concerns about cholera outbreaks across Nigeria, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has strengthened its public health preparedness by launching a Cholera Emergency Operations Centre.
The initiative is part of an overarching strategy to combat the spread of the disease within the capital, particularly in light of recent cases reported nationwide.
The move was confirmed in a statement by the FCT Public Health Department on Thursday, following the activation of the operations centre over the weekend. Dr. Baba Gana Adam, the Permanent Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, explained that the rapid response was essential given the rising number of cholera cases across the country. As a rapidly developing urban hub, the FCT is particularly vulnerable to outbreaks, necessitating prompt and decisive action.
“The FCT cannot afford to be complacent,” Dr. Adam noted, highlighting the Secretariat’s commitment to mobilizing all available resources to prevent an outbreak. He urged collaboration among stakeholders to create comprehensive strategies aimed at cholera prevention and containment.
In response to this directive, the FCT Public Health Department held a Cholera Update meeting to coordinate efforts with key stakeholders. Discussions focused on identifying high-risk areas and establishing clear roles for each party in managing the situation.
The Acting Director of the FCT Public Health Department, Dan Gadzama, reported that the FCT had recently recorded 32 suspected cholera cases, with three confirmed through laboratory tests and eight via rapid diagnostic methods.
He said, “The FCT recently recorded about 32 suspected cases, with three laboratory-confirmed cases and eight confirmed cases through Rapid Diagnostic Tests.
“This prompted the activation of the Cholera Emergency Operations Centre to prevent the escalation and spread of the disease.”
Several measures had already been set in motion prior to the detection of cases, Gadzama noted.
“These include the identification of high-risk areas (which have been placed on red alert), public education and awareness campaigns, training for healthcare workers, and the establishment of a Cholera Incident Management team consisting of relevant stakeholders.” He added.
Dr. Lawal Ademola, the FCT State Epidemiologist, emphasized that improving access to clean water, proper sanitation, and food hygiene would greatly reduce the risk of future outbreaks.
“Cholera is primarily associated with a lack of potable drinking water, poor sanitation, and poor food hygiene. Addressing these issues will significantly reduce the risk of cholera outbreaks.”he said.
He called on communities and individuals to take an active role in preventing cholera by adopting better hygiene practices.
Key partners in the fight against cholera in the FCT include the World Health Organization, the FCT Primary Health Care Board, the FCT Rural Water and Sanitation Agency, and the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector. Together, these organizations are working to mitigate the impact of cholera across the region.
The national cholera situation remains serious, with over 14,000 cases reported across 35 states and the FCT, resulting in 378 deaths by mid-October. The outbreak’s fatality rate currently stands at around 2.7%, underlining the urgency of the FCT’s response.