Cholera Outbreak: Nigerian legislators advocate rigorous consumer enlightenment for personal hygiene

*The House of Representatives, in the National Assembly, expresses readiness to work all relevant agencies in the health sector of the Nigerian economy to investigate the root cause of the cholera outbreak with a view to proffering solutions to it, and preserving the wellbeing of the citizenry and the country at large

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

As part of measures to effectively contain the spread of the recent cholera outbreak across Nigeria, the House of Representatives, in the National Assembly (NASS), Abuja, FCT, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, resolved to work with all relevant agencies in the health sector to investigate the root cause of the plague with a view to proffering solutions to it.

ConsumerConnect reports the Federal lawmakers also urged the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to work with the various health institutions to activate rigorous public orientation, enlightenment, and education of consumers on the need to maintain personal hygiene at all times.

The House, while adopting a motion of urgent public importance brought to the floor by Hon. Kingsley Chinda, Minority Leader, requested the Federal and respective state governments across the Federation to urgently put in place measures to effectively check the outbreak of cholera in Nigeria.

Hon. Chinda, on the motion, also expressed serious concern about the recent outbreak of cholera in Lagos State, as well as several other parts of the West African country

The legislator recalled the latest reported outbreak of the disease, which the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has also confirmed, raises serious public health concerns for the government and the citizenry alike.

According to him, outbreak of the disease, which was first widely reported in Lagos State is now reported to have spread to about 34 states in the country, with several casualties and deaths reported.

Chinda said health is of utmost importance, as it one of the key areas that the Nigerian Government should prioritise to enhance the well-being and overall welfare of consumers.

According to the NCDC, while the latest outbreak of the disease continues have been reported in Lagos and 33 other states across the country, including Abia, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Cross River, Delta, Imo, Nasarawa, Katsina, and Zamfara States, among others.

He noted: “The public and personal health of teeming Nigerians largely due to lack of access to clean water, poor sanitation, poor personal hygiene, etc.”

Chinda equally expressed concern about the rapid rate at which the disease has spread across Lagos, and several other parts of the country within a short time.

This is especially worrisome, given reports that the government has run out of vaccines to effectively tackle the disease, with the death toll continuing to escalate in those states, he stated.

There is an urgent need for quick action and intervention by the Federal and respective state governments to curb the further spread of the disease across the country.

Unless urgent and proactive steps/measures are immediately adopted, the disease would spread to several other places and possibly escalate than imagined.

This would not be good for the health of the citizenry and the country at large, Chinda submitted.