President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to establish a committee to oversee the cholera emergency operation center managed by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Minister of Health, Dr. Ali Pate, announced this decision while briefing the press after the council meeting chaired by the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The committee will include members from the Federal Ministries of Health, Finance, Water Resources, Environment, Youth, Aviation, and Education.
Dr. Pate emphasized that this committee will work alongside state governments to reduce open defecation in Nigeria.
He stated, “The council approved a cabinet committee comprising the federal ministries of health, finance, water resources, environment, youth, aviation, and education.
State governments will also be involved to help Nigeria progress in reducing open defecation, a key factor in cholera outbreaks.”
Dr. Pate reported that 31 states had recorded 1,528 cholera cases and 53 deaths.
The NCDC activated the emergency operation center on Monday to address the outbreak, which is part of a global pandemic that saw nearly 700,000 cases in 2023 and over 200,000 cases this year across five regions.
Health experts emphasize the need for a multi-sectoral approach to tackle the outbreak, prioritizing sanitation and enforcing regulations against open defecation.
They stressed the importance of behavior change and increasing the demand for toilets.
Nigeria ranks first globally for the highest number of people practicing open defecation, a significant challenge in meeting Sustainable Development Goals and preventing waterborne diseases like cholera.
The NCDC’s June 24, 2024 report highlighted 1,528 suspected cholera cases and 53 deaths across 31 states and 107 LGAs, with a case fatality rate of 3.5%. The rainy season has heightened the risk of increased transmission.
Public health experts urge improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices to prevent future outbreaks.
They emphasize that many public places lack proper toilet facilities, and the health implications of open defecation need more awareness.
Dr. Casmier Ifeanyi and Dr. Isaac Egboja, public health specialists, called for better WASH practices and access to clean water, highlighting that open defecation significantly contributes to cholera outbreaks in affected states.
They stressed the importance of addressing these issues for a healthier future in Nigeria.
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