The Chairman of the Forum of Health Commissioners of Nigeria, Dr Oyebanji Filani, has said that 22 states have received test kits and other materials from the Federal Government following the recent cholera outbreak in some parts of the country.
This was as Lagos State recorded 500 suspected cholera cases as the government scrambled to contain its spread.
Nigeria is experiencing a significant cholera outbreak, with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reporting over 1,528 suspected cases in 31 states.
The outbreak has notably affected Lagos, Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, and Nasarawa states.
The primary cause has been linked to the consumption of contaminated water and inadequate sanitation, exacerbated by the onset of the rainy season, which often leads to increased cholera cases due to flooding and compromised water sources.
Speaking on the disease outbreak on Sunday, Oyebanji, who said no state had received the cholera vaccine, explained that because the immunity period for cholera vaccine is short, the primary focus had been on prevention and quick treatment for those who contracted the disease.
He said, “No state, as of today, has received cholera vaccine. The most important thing is prevention. And for those who have cholera to be very quick with the treatment.
“Cholera vaccines are not easily available because, unlike others, the immunity period for cholera vaccine is a bit short. You may see a pile sent to countries in emergency, but no state as of today for this current one has received any vaccine.’’
“States are working with our counterpart at the federal (level), we are not focusing on the vaccines, we are focusing on improving health promotion, prevention, water hygiene and sanitation.
“And for those who have it, providing the necessary treatment so that they can come out of it as quickly as possible because the immunity period of cholera vaccines is short. People are focused more on minimising impacts rather than trying to get the vaccine,” he stated.
When asked about the assistance the Federal Government had rendered to states, Filani, who is the Commissioner for Health and Human Services in Ekiti State, said “The Federal Government has provided consumables, test kits and other materials, including PPEs (Personal Protection Equipment). Not all states, but several states have received the materials.’’
He added, “Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa, Ondo, Osun, Niger, Kano, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Kwara, Anambra, Sokoto, Plateau, Ebonyi and Ekiti have all received test kits, consumables and other materials from the FG.
“This was as of two weeks ago. But it is possible that others have also received it by now. We have received materials and they (the Federal Government) said they would continue to do that (send the kits).”