The Director of Public Health at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Chukwuma Anyaike, said the Federal Government is creating awareness about the Cholera disease and is supporting states with human capital, logistics, and others across the 107 Local Government Areas and 31 states where cases of cholera were reported.
Anyaike said this in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Tuesday.
So far, the current outbreak of cholera has spread to 107 local government areas in the country with 1,528 suspected cases of cholera and 53 deaths recorded from 31 states.
Anyaike said, “We are reinforcing whatever they have in the states. Whichever state that needs support, we reinforce. We are involved in health education of the people, we are telling people that if they have any signs and symptoms, they should prepare the oral rehydration solution before going to the hospital because they are going to lose a lot of fluids.
“Early intervention saves lives, but most importantly prevention is better than cure. Now that it’s the rainy season, there’s the possibility of contamination of faeces. So, everyone has to be careful of the water they drink, wash their hands at intervals, wash their fruits, cook their food thoroughly, and observe other preventive measures.”
Asked how much is budgeted to tackle the outbreak, Anyaike said health is on the concurrent list, and every state has its health budgetary allocation.
“The federal cannot carry money to the state. Every state has its health budgetary allocation. It will be enforced from the national. The health system is tripartite, the national, the state, and then the local government.
“The health system is tripartite. The national, the state, and then the local government. So at this juncture, the federal government will give support, and give guidance.
“I cannot stay here and tell you how much a state to put down for intervention, it’s not possible, this is not the moment to start saying the government has dispatched N1m for this.”
The expert said the states take the lead in the fight against cholera.
“Nigeria is a big country, and every state has its health workforce. Even if you dispatch a hundred people, the main work will be done at the state because they have a healthcare workforce. It is a combined effort but the states will lead,” he added.