President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken proactive measures to address the cholera outbreak in Nigeria by directing the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee. This committee will oversee the operations of the emergency operation center led by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) aimed at controlling and containing the outbreak.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Health, Ali Pate, following a Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday. Minister Pate highlighted that the committee comprises members from key ministries including Health, Finance, Water Resources, Environment, Youth, Aviation, and Education. This collaborative effort, supplemented by support from state governments, aims to significantly reduce open defecation and effectively manage the cholera crisis.
“As of now, 31 states in Nigeria have reported a total of 1,528 cholera cases resulting in 53 deaths,” Minister Pate disclosed, underscoring the urgency of the situation. He emphasized the global scale of the cholera pandemic, noting significant cases reported worldwide over recent years.
Minister Pate stressed the importance of a multi-sectoral approach involving technical partners, ministries, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the deployment of resources to affected states. Strategies include enhancing public awareness, promoting hygiene practices such as hand washing and sanitation, and providing necessary medical treatments.
President Tinubu’s directive reflects a coordinated national effort to curb the cholera outbreak through strategic governance and resource allocation, aiming to safeguard public health across Nigeria.