Following the outbreak of cholera in some parts of the country, the Ondo State Government has assured residents of the state that it is leaving no stone unturned towards tackling any possible spread of the disease in the state.
While stressing that necessary structures to tackle the disease have been put in place, the Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr. Banji Ajaka stated that an immediate response team has been activated.
Ajaka, who disclosed that no active case of the disease has been recorded in the state, emphasised that it has strengthened the Rapid Response Team, which include PHC coordinators, lab focal persons, as well as disease surveillance officers across the senatorial districts of the state, through the COPREP programme.
“The surveillance team was also strengthened by the COPREP programme, with community informants and contact tracers trained and placed on stipends.
“However, they would be deployed for active case searches in preparation for the cholera outbreak,” he said.
According to Ajaka, an emergency preparedness committee would be put in place to ensure provision of potable water, sanitation as well as strengthening of health institutions in the state.
While promising that the government would play its part by sensitising and creating awareness in the mass media and through community engagement, he appealed to the residents to be cautious and access any of the primary healthcare facilities across the state in the event of any health challenge.