By Aideloje Ojo
Minna.
The cholera pandemic in Niger state has spread to 16 local government areas while no fewer than 409 persons are affected by the disease.
The state Commissioner for Primary Health Care, Dr Ibrahim Ahmed Dangana made the disclosed while speaking to newsmen during the unveiling of sensitization on the Measles – Rubella campaign in Minna.
Dr.Dangana explained that although the death toll still remain at (13), the state government has put in place necessary measures to contain the spread of the infection.
“We have identified isolation and treatment centers across all the 25 local Councils not just Minna. Government has made available essential supplies of drugs and medicines including intravenous fluid to all the treatment centers. I want to emphasize that the treatment is free of charge to all the patients,we are not charging, because we want to quickly control the situation”, he said.
The Commissioner pointed out that other majors put in place include the stakeholders meeting of state multi-sectorial committee on epidemic preparedness and response, adding that his ministry is working closely with the relevant ministries such as Environment, Water and Sanitation as well as all the development partners in the state.
He commended development partners including the UNICEF, WHO and others for their unwavering support to the state government, adding that government would sustained the synergy.
He advised the people to be conscious of their personal hygiene as well as environmental hygiene while urging them to be wearing of their water sources,and ensure they sanitize water before consumption.
“People should not practice open dification, people should stop dumping refuse in the rain, because,some people are in the habit of dumping refuse in the rain so that the rain will wash down the refused,it is a very bad practice”, he warned
