by Hope-Feyisayo Temitope
With the subsequent outburst of Cholera in some parts of the country, the Federal Government through the Ministry of Environment has encouraged Nigerians to practice healthy living and healthy food habits.
Cholera outbreak has claimed many lives and affected communities across the country. Recent situation report by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) indicated 1,159 suspected cases, 65 confirmed cases and 30 deaths across 30 states.
The states most affected, contributing 90 per cent of the total cases include, Bayelsa, Lagos, Zamfara, Abia, Bauchi, Cross River, Ebonyi, Delta and Katsina.
In a statement, Minister of State Federal Ministry of Environment, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, urged Nigerians to wash their hands regularly with soap under running water, especially at moments such as after using the toilet, after cleaning a child who has gone to the toilet, before preparing food, before and after eating, and after playing with animals.
“Cook foodstuff well, keeping food covered and eating it hot. Eating in public places including at parties should be done with utmost care.
“Wash fruits and vegetables with clean and safe water before eating. Anybody experiencing any of the symptoms of cholera is advised to seek medical attention immediately.
“We urge all Commissioners of Environment and Local Government Chairmen to support Environmental Health Officers across the country to step up their sanitation and hygiene activities through enhanced community-led total sanitation in order to break further transmission and spread of the disease. We also urge the scale-up of awareness campaigns focusing especially on places where prepared food and drinks are sold like markets, garages, schools, restaurants, stadia, religious, and sporting events. In addition, sub-national governments are urged to strengthen environmental health surveillance in eating premises like ‘mama put’, cafeterias, restaurants and mobile food vendors.
“We assure the general public that the Federal Ministry of Environment remains committed to ensuring a clean and healthy environment for all Nigerians. This is the only way we can prevent and curtail the incidence of cholera outbreaks and other sanitation-related diseases.
“Cholera is preventable, and prevention remains better and cheaper than cure. We therefore urge all Nigerians to take these preventive measures seriously and more importantly, keep their environment clean” the statement, further warned.