By Milcah Tanimu
James Faleke, the lawmaker representing Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has called on Nigerians to treat the cholera outbreak with the same urgency and seriousness as they did during the COVID-19 pandemic. In an interview on Monday, Faleke emphasized the need for heightened awareness and action.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) recently reported 53 cholera-related deaths across the country. NCDC Director-General Dr. Jide Idris confirmed that the Federal Government has activated the National Emergency Operation Centre for cholera, with 1,528 suspected cases and 53 deaths recorded across 31 states and 107 LGAs as of June 24, 2024, representing a case fatality rate of 3.5 percent.
Faleke stressed the importance of vigilance and proactive measures to curb the outbreak. “Every Nigerian needs to be careful; our attitude to cleanliness matters. The way we took COVID-19 seriously is the way we should take this cholera outbreak. Cholera has killed many people, and we expected that in this modern age, we should not be having an outbreak of cholera in Nigeria. However, it has come, so we have to deal with it. People should be more careful with what they eat and drink,” he said.
He further advised against consuming fake products and stressed the importance of drinking clean water.
The Lagos State Government, through Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Office, Sunkanmi Oyegbola, also urged public servants to maintain good hygiene to avoid contracting cholera or other waterborne and airborne diseases.