The Anambra State commissioner for Health, Dr Joe Akabuike has stated that the recent outbreak of cholera in Anambra State has claimed eight lives, while 25 others are in different hospitals in the state where they are being given medical attention.
Akabuike disclosed this in a press briefing yesterday in his office, saying that so far the 25 people that are infected are in stable condition as a team of medical personnel led by himself immediately moved into the affected areas where they were able to rescue infected persons, mostly children.
He said that so far four communities in Anambra West local government are affected, but with the help of the ministry and its team of medical officers, the people living in the area have been adequately sensitized on how to beat the epidemic, which he said is mostly water borne.
“It is a water borne disease, and mostly affects areas where their source of drinking water is contaminated. The best advice at this time is for families to ensure that their source of drinking water is okay, and when it is not, they should endevour to boil it before drinking.
“So far, we have tested the sources of water in the affected area, and the governor has directed that boreholes be sunk in the places immediately. We also advise families to ensure cleanliness and proper disposal of stool as flies can perch on them and also perch on their foods, leading to contamination.” Akabuike charged.
Briefing journalists while receiving drugs worth N4million donated by the management of Superior Pharmaceutical Company, Lagos for the treatment of infected persons, Akabuike added that such gesture would help the state to contain the challenges of Cholera outbreak in the state.
He said recently, the ministry has received donations of drugs and hospital equipments from several company worth about N2billion, and calls for more, as the ministry intends to equip the hospitals in the state and upgrading 37 general hospitals in the state, with three of them as central hospitals.
He said that besides ensuring adequate medical attention to the 25 infected persons who are left, the ministry has also dispatched doctors and nurses to the affected areas, to be resident there to ensure that no new cases were registered, and that all these moves involved funds.
The Human Resources Manager of the organization, Miss Ruth Harrison said the company decided to help the efforts of the governor of the state, Chief Willie Obiano is containing the cholera epidemic in the state, more so as the proprietor of the company is from Anambra State.
Some of the items donated by the company include cartons of malaria drugs for children and adult, the company’s brand of atemether and several others which it said will be used for the treatment of the outbreak of cholera.
