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South-South Governors Take Action to Contain Cholera Outbreak in Nigeria

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In a proactive move, several governors in the South-South region have activated emergency response centers to prepare for and prevent potential cholera outbreaks in their respective states.

Government sources from Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers disclosed no confirmed cholera cases in the states.

They said that the states had already commenced sensitisation campaigns to educate residents on measures to mitigate the disease.

Between January 1 and June 11, 96 local government areas in 30 states reported cases of cholera outbreaks.

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), no fewer than 1,141 suspected cases, 65 confirmed cases, and 30 deaths from cholera have been reported during the period.

Cholera is an infectious bacterial disease of the small intestine caused by the ingestion of the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, contracted from contaminated water and food.

Speaking in Akwa Ibom, health commissioner Augustine Umoh said, “For now, there is no reported case of cholera outbreak in the state.”

He said the government had already commenced a sensitisation programme in all 31 local government areas on the essence of maintaining personal and environmental hygiene.

He urged residents to adopt household water treatment schemes such as boiling, filtering and disinfection before using.

“We have to wash our hands with soap and clean water regularly, especially after using the toilet and before eating. We are also urging our people to wash fruits and other food items before eating,” he said.

Mr Umoh said that apart from sensitisation, the government had taken other steps to prevent any eventual outbreak of the disease in the state.

The commissioner further said that the Akwa Ibom government would continue to monitor and ensure surveillance, especially in the border communities.

Mr Umoh urged the residents to take salt-sugar solution in case of diarrhoea and report to the nearest health centre for prompt action.

Rivers health commissioner Adaeze Oreh confirmed the absence of any confirmed case of cholera across the state’s 23 local government areas.

She said that although there were no active cases, there were reports of acute watery diarrhoea a month earlier, and none were currently active.

About four weeks ago, we had about 16 suspected cases of acute watery diarrhoea in three coastal communities of Andoni LGA, with two associated deaths.

Ms Oreh disclosed that the state government had deployed medical supplies to areas prone to infectious diseases.

She added, “The infectious disease treatment centre at Rivers State University Hospital, which was marked for upgrade into an infectious disease institute, is now fully equipped to manage cases.

“The state government is working closely with the World Health Organisation, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, and other relevant stakeholders to safeguard the health of residents.”

However, Mr Ayuk advised residents to take preventive measures, such as maintaining good personal hygiene, eating safe foods, drinking clean water, and avoiding crowded environments.

He appealed to the residents to quickly report any diarrhoea, stooling, vomiting, or other cholera-related symptoms to the nearest health facility.

He maintained that the state government was always committed to the health and well-being of its citizens.

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Health

FCTA Seals Illegal Hospital in Kuje Over Patient Deaths

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By Alexis Uchendu

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has shut down Dada’s Clinic & Maternity Limited in Kapwa, Gaube community, Kuje Area Council, over illegal operations and alleged patient deaths.

The closure, carried out by the Private Health Establishments Registration and Monitoring Committee under Ahmadu Abubakar, Director of the Medical and Diagnostics Department, followed reports of fatalities and unsafe medical practices.

The facility was sealed on Sunday, and a staff member, Mr. Sabiu, who falsely posed as a health worker, was arrested and handed over to the police for further investigation.

According to a statement from the FCTA, issued via the media aide of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, the clinic was unregistered and operated in a rented apartment unfit for healthcare services. It allegedly disguised its operations as a medical outreach program.

The statement further revealed that a community elder recently died after undergoing a hernia operation at the clinic, with additional reports of patients requiring emergency care elsewhere after surviving unsafe procedures.

The FCT Minister investigations his administration’s zero tolerance for illegal health facilities, stressing the need for safe and regulated healthcare services.

An investigation into the clinic’s activities is ongoing.

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Abuja Reports

FG to Slash Dialysis Costs by 80% at FMC Abuja

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By Patrick Idowu 

In a major relief for kidney disease patients, the Federal Government has announced an 80% subsidy on dialysis treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, disclosed this on Tuesday during the commissioning of a new clinic service building and ward centre at the hospital.

He emphasized that the initiative aims to make dialysis more accessible and affordable, aligning with the government’s broader healthcare reforms.

“This subsidy program, launched in 2024, is already in place in 10 selected federal tertiary health institutions, and FMC Jabi is now a strong candidate to join,” Salako stated.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring quality healthcare, a key pillar of the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (HSRII), which supports President Bola Tinubu’s vision of healthcare as a fundamental right.

Salako further highlighted the administration’s investments in strengthening tertiary healthcare, reducing the need for Nigerians to seek critical medical procedures, such as kidney transplants, abroad.

Meanwhile, FMC Abuja’s Chief Medical Director, Saad Ahmed, revealed that the newly inaugurated facility will enhance healthcare delivery, housing a dialysis and transplantation centre, pathology laboratories, and additional patient wards to ease hospital congestion.

He also announced the acquisition of a neurosurgical operating microscope to improve brain surgery services.

The subsidy initiative marks a significant step toward easing the financial burden of chronic kidney disease patients while bolstering Nigeria’s healthcare capacity.

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Health

NCDC: No Immediate Threat of HMPV in Nigeria

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By Adenike Lawal

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has assured the public that the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), poses no immediate threat to Nigeria, despite global concerns over outbreaks.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, NCDC Director-General, Dr. Jide Idris, clarified that HMPV is not a new virus and has long been associated with respiratory infections, particularly in children and the elderly.

He likened it to other common respiratory viruses like influenza, emphasizing that there is no cause for alarm.

Dr. Idris confirmed that no cases of HMPV have been reported in Nigeria, but the NCDC remains on high alert, closely monitoring the situation in line with World Health Organization (WHO), guidelines.

He cited Nigeria’s experience in handling Ebola and COVID-19, highlighting the country’s strengthened public health infrastructure to tackle potential outbreaks.

To prevent respiratory infections, he urged Nigerians to maintain good hygiene and avoid crowded places.

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