Minority Leader Urges FG to Declare State of Emergency on Cholera Outbreak

Kingsley Chinda, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives (PDP-Rivers), has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the cholera outbreak in the country.

In a statement released on Saturday, Chinda emphasized the urgent need for a coordinated response from all stakeholders to address and contain the outbreak effectively.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) recently reported the outbreak of the water-borne disease in 30 states across the federation.

Chinda highlighted that the situation underscores critical deficiencies in public health safety measures and necessitates immediate action.

“The outbreak highlights critical deficiencies in public health safety measures and underscores the need for immediate action,” Chinda stated.

He attributed the spread of preventable diseases like cholera to inadequate investment in public and personal health education.

With schools across the nation resuming after recent public holidays, Chinda stressed the urgency of declaring a state of emergency.

“This declaration will enable coordinated efforts at all levels of government to deploy resources swiftly toward containing the outbreak, improving sanitation infrastructure, and intensifying public health education campaigns,” he said.

Chinda urged all levels of government to prioritize the allocation of resources to improve water and sanitation facilities in affected communities.

He also called on stakeholders, including government agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), community leaders, and individuals, to collaborate in combating the outbreak.

He emphasized the importance of investing in robust public health education programs to raise awareness about hygiene practices that can prevent the spread of water-borne diseases, including cholera.

Chinda concluded by urging the public to remain calm and vigilant, practice good hygiene, and seek prompt medical attention if experiencing symptoms associated with cholera.