Kano govt unveils measures to tackle cholera outbreak 

Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim 

The Kano State Government has unveiled proactive measures to safeguard people against the Cholera outbreak.

Speaking on “Zauren Premier” program at Premier Radio Kano on Saturday, the state’s Commissioner of Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, said the state has launched a sensitisation campaign to educate people, particularly in rural areas, on how to protect themselves.

Although Cholera has not been reported in Kano, the epidemic has spread across 31 states in Nigeria. 

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Mr. Yusuf explained that the government has procured medicines to combat the disease in the event of an outbreak. He attributed the state’s cholera-free status to the prayers of its people.

“We cannot take credit for Kano’s freedom from the pandemic; it is the people’s prayers that have helped.

“As a government, we have taken necessary measures, including informing our Emergency Preparedness Response (EPR) committee two weeks ago when the disease broke out in Lagos.

“The committee, comprising health practitioners, surveillance and notification officers, health educators, and ward volunteers, is tasked with reporting any strange disease or pandemic and taking prompt measures to halt its spread,” he said.

He added that the state has designated Zana Hospital as a referral centre for suspected cholera cases.

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Additionally, authorities have embarked on a sensitisation campaign targeting food vendors and fruit sellers to ensure they maintain proper hygiene practices. 

“We will soon distribute flyers containing information on first aid and disease prevention to hawkers and the general public. Furthermore, we have commenced treating public wells at risk of contamination in the Kano metropolis.”

The Commissioner urged the public to cooperate in preventing the outbreak by maintaining a clean environment and avoiding open defecation.