James Faleke, a House of Representatives member from Ikeja Federal Constituency, has urged Nigeria government to tackle the cholera outbreak with the same urgency as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Faleke’s call to action was made during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.
This appeal follows a report from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), which confirmed 53 deaths due to cholera across the country. Dr. Jide Idris, the Director-General of NCDC, announced that the Federal Government had activated the National Emergency Operation Centre for cholera.
“As of June 24, 2024, 1,528 suspected cases and 53 deaths were recorded across 31 states and 107 LGAs, with a case fatality rate of 3.5 percent since the beginning of the year,” Idris said.
Reacting to these alarming statistics, Faleke emphasized the importance of public vigilance and proactive measures to curb the outbreak. “Every Nigerian needs to be careful; our attitude to cleanliness matters,” he stressed.
Faleke advised Nigerians to be more cautious about their consumption habits, highlighting the need for vigilance in food and water safety.
“The way we took COVID-19 seriously is the way we should take this cholera outbreak. Cholera has killed many people. We expected that, in this modern age, we should not be experiencing an outbreak of cholera in Nigeria.”
Acknowledging the unexpected nature of the outbreak, Faleke urged citizens to adapt quickly and prioritize hygiene.
“However, it has come; so, we have to deal with it. People should be more careful with what they eat and drink. There are many fake products out there. Stop consuming fake products. You don’t have to drink just anything; take clean water,” he advised.