The Director of Disease Control and Immunisation at the Niger State Ministry of Primary Health Care, Dr. Samuel Jiya, has stated that the state is currently certified free of the outbreak of cholera disease.
He added that there have been no reported cases of cholera in the state so far, emphasising that “there is no cholera issue in the state.”
He made these remarks in an exclusive interview with the Nigerian Tribune at his office in the State Secretariat, Tunga, Minna, the state capital, on Thursday.
According to Dr Jiya, “We have also communicated to all hospitals, especially the primary health care centres in the state, to report any dehydrated patients who are either vomiting or experiencing watery diarrhoea to us in the ministry.”
He further mentioned that the ministry, in collaboration with other stakeholders in the state, has begun sensitising the general public on issues of personal hygiene.
This includes ensuring thorough handwashing, avoiding open defecation, and refraining from dumping refuse in drainages and water channels around their homes.
He emphasised that such actions “are capable of blocking drainages and water channels, which could lead to the outbreak of epidemic diseases throughout the rainy season across the state.”
Dr Jiya also disclosed that the State Ministry of Primary Health Care plans to hold a World Press Conference with journalists in the state, organised under the umbrella of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Niger State Council.
This initiative aims to inform journalists practicing in the state about the ministry’s efforts to prevent the outbreak of epidemic diseases among the populace during the wet season. He emphasised the importance of widespread reporting to ensure Nigerians are aware of the state’s efforts in primary health care delivery.
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