By Israel Adamu, Jos
Plateau State government yesterday said it has taken proactive measures to prevent a cholera outbreak following reports of the disease in 33 states across the country.
Programme Coordinator of the Plateau State Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) Program, Jonathan Malann, made this known at a press conference in Jos .
He stressed that cholera remains a significant health risk, especially in areas with inadequate water supply, poor sanitation, and hygiene.
“The outbreak has been documented in 33 states of the country with no official cases reported in Plateau State as indicated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
The Plateau State government is collaborating with various local and international partners to ensure targeted and timely response efforts,” Malann stated.
He emphasized the partnership with the World Bank-supported SURWASH Program, which aims to enhance access to sustainable water supply, sanitation, and hygiene services in seven states, including Plateau.
“Preventive public health measures have been prioritized to reduce the risk of cholera. Identifying cases early helps in isolating patients, thus limiting spread to others. It also enables healthcare workers to deploy specific preventive measures in affected communities,” He noted.
He also mentioned the government’s procurement of bulk water treatment chemicals for state water supply agencies. “Our citizens require access to adequate and affordable healthcare services,” he underlined, urging individuals to treat their water, practice regular handwashing, and uphold proper hygiene.
Malann further disclosed the construction of isolated water schemes and hand pump boreholes in various local government areas (LGAs) to support the provision of clean water and prevent water-borne illnesses
. “The rehabilitation of water treatment plants in Yelwa, Bokkos, Langtang North, and Wase, in addition to expanding water pipeline distribution networks, aims to enhance access to safe water for numerous residents. Investing in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) is not just essential; it is our pathway to a cholera-free Plateau,” he emphasized.
He urged the media and the public to back the government’s cholera prevention efforts and emphasized the importance of unified messages on cholera prevention to raise awareness and prompt community action.
“We must unite behind the Call to Action, ‘the time is now,’ to collaborate in preventing the spread of cholera in our state. It starts with us. Through collective efforts and investment in long-term solutions, Plateau State can achieve a cholera-free environment and safeguard the health of its residents”.
