Dr. Jide Idris, the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), has indicated that a state of emergency may be declared for cholera if cases reach an uncontrollable level.
Speaking at the Adetokunbo Alakija Memorial Travel Medicine Lecture, organized by the Nigerian Society of Travel Medicine (NSTM) at Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Idris emphasized the critical need for monitoring and assessment. He stated, “If the data we receive from our partners shows that the situation has surpassed a certain threshold, we will declare an emergency.”
The NCDC is currently awaiting reports from investigation teams. Dr. Idris highlighted that cholera outbreaks are primarily due to a lack of access to clean water, inadequate environmental sanitation, and poor personal hygiene. He stressed the government’s responsibility to provide clean water and sanitary facilities, noting, “These diseases often occur in slum areas where there is poverty, poor drainage, and poor personal hygiene. Both the government and the people have roles to play.”
Idris outlined the government’s focus on healthcare priorities, governance, leadership, service delivery, supply chain issues, and health security. He also called for a behavioral change, emphasizing that “prevention is better than cure.”
He further mentioned that addressing the cholera issue requires resources that are currently lacking, stressing the need for identifying the causes of these diseases, monitoring their spread, and implementing effective control measures.
In addition, Tope Adeniyi, Managing Director of Axa Mansard Health Limited, advised citizens traveling to invest in health insurance to ensure protection in case of healthcare emergencies. He also emphasized the importance of preventive measures, including exercise, proper nutrition, rest, and a healthy lifestyle, suggesting that recommended dietary practices could help prevent diseases.
Dr. Nkechi Ilodibia, President of NSTM, noted that the event served both as a memorial to honor the legacy of Adetokunbo Alakija and as a platform to raise awareness about the promotion of medicine in Nigeria on a global scale.
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