The death toll in the recent cholera outbreak has continued to rise just as the number of patients in hospitals across the country is on the increase. Data gathered by Daily Trust showed that already 25 persons have died out of the 574 cases recorded. Cholera is currently raging in nine states with Yobe being the most affected. The disease which started in Gashua town in Bade Local Government Area, before extending to other parts, has already claimed over 20 lives in Yobe State.
Hassan Gadaka, Head of Record and Statistics of a hospital in Yobe told our correspondent that "from our records now, 160 cholera patients are hospitalised. Among the dead was a child from the 18 children under the age of five admitted in the hospital. We are grateful to God, the number of people dying from the disease has drastically reduced because the state government intervened and provided enough drugs and personnel." He said patients were brought from seven affected wards in Gashua town and one in Yusufari Local Government Area. Sanitation Officer of Bade Local Council Adamu Saleh also said the state government has embarked on a sanitation campaign to break the route of cholera transmission.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said there are plans for a nationwide cholera campaign with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and donor agencies. It is disappointing to say the least that despite the fact that cholera has become a yearly occurrence in Nigeria, we still lose so many people to the disease. We ought to have gone beyond this point. For some years now, shortly before the rains, there is usually an outbreak of cholera in Nigeria, so why does it always take the country by surprise to the extent that before action can be taken too many people are already affected? This again throws up the attitude of some officials of this country who only rise to the occasion when there is a crisis and go back to sleep immediately there is little respite. Unfortunately, that is the attitude to virtually all national issues but the problem here is that cholera has direct impact on lives. Cholera is a very deadly disease; it kills very quickly through dehydration and it is highly contagious. Therefore, such lackadaisical attitude must be stopped in preparing for cholera outbreaks.
It may not be possible to totally eradicate the disease or prevent it from occurring, but we can reduce its effect when it occurs. Already, health authorities and stakeholders are aware of the period when this disease occurs, so they should be prepared. Why wait till an outbreak before acting? The government should always ensure the availability of necessary drugs and other items necessary to tackle it. All primary health care centres and other hospitals should be adequately stocked so that citizens do not have to travel far distances to access them. Also, it is important that qualified health personnel are sent to rural areas ahead of such outbreaks to help manage the situation. Special arrangements should also be made for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, because in view of their living condition, they are highly vulnerable.
Furthermore, as fast as cholera kills, it is also easy to treat if the right measures are taken as soon as symptoms emerge. Government, traditional and religious leaders should engage in massive sensitisation campaigns. People should be educated on what they can do to prevent the disease and the immediate measures they can take to save themselves and people around them before they get to health personnel/ facilities. Poor hygiene and bad water are some of the things that cause cholera. So, authorities should harp on personal hygiene. Sanitation officers should move around and ensure that people take proper care of their environments. They should also take the issue of waste disposal seriously. Governments at all levels should endeavour to provide potable water for the people. The nation can indeed reduce the number of lives lost yearly to some common diseases if it takes the necessary action.
