De Federal Capital Territory (FCT) don take decisive step to fight cholera by activating their Cholera Emergency Operations Centre. Dis move dey part of their surveillance and preparedness measures to handle any cholera outbreak for FCT.
Dr. Baba Gana Adam, de Permanent Secretary of de FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, talk say de activation necessary because of de increasing number of cholera cases across Nigeria. He say FCT no fit take chances, especially as emerging city wey dey at risk of cholera.
De FCT Public Health Department (PHD) convene Cholera Update meeting, where dem bring together key stakeholders to discuss de cholera situation for FCT. Dem identify high-risk areas, define de roles of each stakeholder, and coordinate comprehensive response to prevent de spread of cholera.
Dr. Dan Gadzama, de Acting Director of PHD, reveal say FCT record 32 suspected cases, with 3 laboratory-confirmed cases and 8 confirmed through Rapid Diagnostic Tests. Dis numbers prompt dem to activate de Cholera Emergency Operations Centre.
De FCT prepare well-well by placing high-risk areas on red alert, launching public awareness campaigns, training healthcare workers, and mobilizing Cholera Incident Management Team. Dr. Gadzama emphasize say sanitation critical in dis fight against cholera.
Dr. Lawal Lukman Ademola, de FCT State Epidemiologist, talk say cholera thrive in environments where clean water and proper sanitation no dey. He say addressing these issues first step in preventing outbreaks. He also praise Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) for their efforts in maintaining cleanliness and supporting de response.
With confirmation of two cholera cases for FCT, Dr. Ademola assure say de FCT Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (FCT-PHEOC) dey fully operational. Dem continue public awareness campaigns on prevention, early detection, and reporting of not just cholera but also other diseases like Mpox.
Stakeholders like World Health Organization (WHO), FCT Primary Health Care Board (PHCB), FCT Rural Water and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), and AEPB dey work together to ensure all necessary measures dey in place to protect FCT from major cholera outbreak.
