Cholera Outbreak: FCTA To Mitigate Impact Of Disease

By: Prudence Okonna

As the rainy season begins, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reaffirmed its commitment to mitigate the impact of cholera outbreak in the FCT through early warning sensitization, aimed at equipping residents with adequate information required to protect their lives.

Consequently, the Risk Communication Unit of the Public Health Department (PHD) has commenced sensitization on Cholera disease, its causes, prevention, and treatment across different markets in the Territory.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Abuja Digest Newspaper, the Director, PHD, Saddiq Abdurrahman, said that the resolve to go out on aggressive sensitization across the Territory is a proactive measure by the department to create awareness and improve the overall well-being of residents.

According to the Director, in 2021 out of about 200 cases recorded, the outbreak claimed 71 lives in the Territory, which necessitated the commitment of the Administration to avert future occurrences and casualties.

His words: “To avert a repeat of the casualties from the 2021 outbreak; we resolved to continuously sensitize the residents of FCT on the need to protect themselves”.

Abdulrahman, therefore, called on the residents to adhere strictly to the messages on preventive measures delivered by the Risk Communication Team.

Also speaking, the head of Risk Communication and Community Engagement Unit, (RCCE) Hauwa Suleiman revealed that her team has commenced sensitization in Karmo and Nyanya Markets, located at different ends of the City.

She said that the strategy would reach more people; adding that more sensitization campaigns would be carried out in other parts of the Territory, especially in communities where open defecation is prevalent.

Suleiman emphasized that the sensitization exercise would go a long way in helping Abuja residents protect themselves as well as report suspected cases.

She called on residents to clean their environments, drink clean water, and cook properly.

Cholera is a bacterial disease that presents as diarrhea and dehydration and can affect both children and adults.

The disease can be spread by eating and drinking water contaminated by germs found in the feaces of infected people.