A seasoned Professor of Medicine based in the United States, Dr. Adebukola Ogundoyin, has raised concerns over the urgent need for President Bola Tinubu to reinforce regulations on environmental sanitation and water quality to prevent future cholera outbreaks.
Commending the efforts of the Ministry of Health in battling the spread of cholera, Dr. Ogundoyin stressed the necessity of improving sewage systems and waste management practices to mitigate future occurrences.
“There is an urgent need for robust government intervention in the control of the disease. To combat this disease, a multifaceted approach is required which includes immediate action to control the epidemic, public health education, and infrastructural implementations to address root causes of cholera and long-term plans to prevent future recurrence,” she said.
Cholera, a life-threatening diarrheal illness caused by the cholera toxin-producing strain of bacteria named *Vibrio cholerae*, is primarily transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food and water. Dr. Ogundoyin emphasized that poor sanitation and lack of access to clean water are major causes of cholera, while the major cause of death in cholera is hypovolemic shock from severe dehydration.
Statistics show an estimated three million cases of cholera annually worldwide, with about 100,000 fatalities. In 2024, cholera affected 14 countries in West Africa, including Nigeria, with 82,215 cases and 1,507 deaths reported (WHO). In Lagos State alone, 113 cholera cases and seven deaths were recorded in one week in June 2024. Symptoms of cholera include abdominal cramps and severe diarrhea characterized by profuse painless “rice water” stools with mucous specks and a fishy odor.
Dr. Ogundoyin called for the government, through the Ministry of Health, to provide antibiotics for severe cases and establish well-equipped cholera treatment centers. These centers should have the capacity to provide rapid oral rehydration solutions and intravenous fluids when needed, and their staff should be trained in rapid diagnosis and stabilization techniques for cholera.
To improve access to emergency care, Dr. Ogundoyin suggested that state and local authorities engage private practices, enrolling facilities interested in participating in a scheme with adequate compensation arrangements. Quick identification of diseases, isolation of affected patients, prompt sanitation of contaminated facilities, and public education on cholera symptoms, prevention, and treatment through mass media campaigns are also essential measures.
The government should ensure access to safe drinking water by setting up temporary water purification units, providing homes with filtration devices, and educating the community on water treatment methods using chlorine. Proper waste disposal and the eradication of water source blockages should be implemented, as contaminated water is a significant factor in the spread of cholera.
Dr. Ogundoyin also emphasized the importance of strengthening health systems by investing more in healthcare infrastructure, ensuring facilities are equipped to manage future outbreaks, and training healthcare workers on cholera management and outbreak response. Improving sewage systems and waste management practices is paramount in cholera prevention.
On legislation, she urged state and local authorities to enforce regulations on water quality and sanitation year-round to prevent future outbreaks. Coordination and collaboration with international and local organizations are crucial for disseminating information and obtaining financial and technical support.
“By implementing these immediate actions and investing in long-term solutions, the government can effectively curb the current cholera outbreak and prevent future occurrences,” Dr. Ogundoyin concluded.
