Lagosians admonished to take personal hygiene seriously

…set to address short supply of water in slums.

Worried over the recent outbreak of cholera in certain parts of the country and rising water table levels in the State, the Lagos State government is set to address inadequate water supply to many slum areas in Lagos including Orile-Iganmu and Agege with a view to preventing possible cholera outbreak.

In lieu of this, Lagosians have been advised not only to ensure that all drinking water available to them are properly boiled but to ensure full personal hygiene and report possible case of cholera to a nearby government -owned health facility.

Briefing journalists in Lagos, Jide Idris, Commissioner of Health, Lagos State admonished Lagosians to make personal hygiene practices their utmost priority in order to prevent cholera infection, a disease caused by a bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

While noting that the presence of slums in Lagos is an obstacle to tackling cholera, the commissioner noted 

that recently, there has been increasing death from cholera in states like Oyo, Osun, Nassarawa amongst others following flooding in those areas.

Idris stated that following impending rains, it had become necessary to alert Lagosian on simple hygienic measures they can adopt to avert diseases and ensure good health. Even as some parts of Lagos are still facing acute water shortage, Idris explained that the long term deterioration of infrastructure including water-piping networks is being massively addressed under the multi-sectoral World Bank Slum Rehabilitation Programme.

In his words “Under the slum upgrade programme, the world body is addressing the issues of health facilities, environment, education and all infrastructure required to mitigate against some of the problems facing the populace. Ours is to enlighten the public on some of the problems that these situations can pose.”

He revealed that most under-five mortality deaths in Nigeria are due to poor housing conditions, unsafe water supply, inadequate water supply, inadequate sanitary facilities and unhygienic behaviour. While the Health Commissioner disclosed that contaminated water and unsanitary means of excreta disposal are closely associated with diarrheoal diseases, he maintained that this disease accounts for about 20 per cent of under five mortality including cholera and typhoid.

“Everyone should also learn how to prepare oral rehydration solution (ORS) at home if you suspect cholera to minimize body water loss and immediate report to the health facility symptoms for further treatment or call the Diseases Control Directorate on: 08033329327 and 08023228573,” Idris concluded.

Echoing the sentiments of the commissioner, Femi Taiwo, Director, Disease Control, Lagos state maintained that cholera epidemic in neighboring states has become a concern for Lagos state even as the spread of cholera is largely due to poor hygiene and sanitation practices by the people.

Giving insight on how to prepare Oral rehydration therapy, Taiwo explained that “on the onset of cholera, it is advised that you get boiled clean water of about 1 litre, mix with one level teaspoon of salt, eight level teaspoons of sugar, stir the mixture till the sugar dissolves.  The mixture will not be used more than 24 hours.”

Even as the consumption of such food item without thoroughly washing and cooking them puts such people at risk of cholera, several vaccines have been developed to curtail epidemics. For Michael Asuzu, a public health expert in the Department of Community Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, no part of Nigeria has immunity against cholera.

The public health expert declared that cholera vaccine is only useful as an adjunct to other measures like water sanitation and administering of antibiotics during an epidemic.

In the words of Asuzu “Cholera vaccine is one of the poorest vaccines in terms of effectiveness. When you vaccinate people with it, only about 70 to 80 per cent of the people that is vaccinated will develop antibodies. Because the antibodies last for about four months, it means they are protected from cholera only for four months,”  he declared.

While the country continue in its quest to achieving the health related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), much needs to  be done in the area of bringing drinking water to all rural households. With slum prevalence still evident in some parts of the country, urban and rural sanitation coverage should be given utmost attention by all levels of government.