The Oyo State Government has been relentless in its efforts to prevent cholera outbreaks, maintaining that no single case of the disease has been recorded so far.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, expressed this while discussing it with journalists in her office.
She reassured the public that since the disease outbreak in neighboring states, there have been only a few suspected cases in Oyo State, all of which have been successfully managed.
The Commissioner also highlighted the activities that have been implemented by the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre (PHEOC), which include the activation of the Infectious Disease Centre, Olodo, to manage any possible cholera cases effectively; the inauguration of the Multisectoral Cholera Technical Working Group (TWG); the distribution of cholera RDT kits to UCH and PHCs in the state; media engagement to raise public awareness on BCOS, NTA, TVC, and other media houses; the airing of audio jingles on cholera prevention in media houses; and various social media platforms.
Others include the distribution of IEC materials to various social media platforms, roadshows, and awareness creation in collaboration with the Red Cross Society of Nigeria in major markets in Ibadan Metropolis, as well as the development and dissemination of cholera messages to the public and marketplaces.
She hinted further that the Ministry has activities lined up to prevent the outbreak and spread of cholera in the state.
These activities include continuous sensitization of the populace through the media and physical meetings with private medical practitioners on the enhancement of surveillance of cholera cases.
Also, advocacy visits to the market and religious leaders in the state, capacity building of health workers on the preventive measures of cholera and other infectious diseases, sensitization campaigns in all major markets and motor parks across all the LGAs by the LGA Health Promotion Officers, printing and distribution of IEC materials, and distribution of water treatment materials to major markets in the state for treatment of their water sources.
Dr Oluwaserimi, therefore, urged the people of Oyo State to be vigilant during this rainy period and take responsibility for maintaining proper hygiene.
