Ogun sensitises residents to cholera outbreak, others
The Ogun State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency has embarked on a sensitisation and awareness campaign programme in a bid to prevent the outbreak of cholera and other water-borne diseases.
PUNCH reports that a Cholera outbreak in the state about four months ago affected over 200 and killed no fewer than 10
The state Commissioner for Rural Development, Mrs Olufemi Ilori-Oduntan, while speaking during the sensitisation programme in Surulere community, Agbo-Afoju, Sabo, in Abeokuta North Local Government Area, said the awareness became necessary to checkmate the perennial challenge during the dry season, when water levels in wells drop, making residents get water from unreliable sources.
According to a statement on Thursday, Ilori-Oduntan was quoted to have said that “proper hygienic practices and attitudinal change are prerequisites for a disease-free society. People in this community have to be more proactive with their hygiene practices because the government has declared zero tolerance on endemic diseases in the state”.
Represented by the Programme Manager, RUWATSAN, Mr Sola Ogunbo, the commissioner advised the people to constantly clear drainages, desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse and ensure that every household has toilets, noting that ailments associated with unhygienic practices were numerous, including typhoid, dysentery and so on.
Responding, the Chairman, of Ilupeju Oke-Odo Community Development Council, Dr. Munir Adesola, lauded the agency for the programme, saying the campaign would encourage people to embrace a hygienic lifestyle, calling on the government to make it a continuous exercise and reach out to other communities across the state.
Highlights of the event were disinfection of selected water sources in the communities, demonstration of hand washing, method of water purification and treatment, as well as distribution of wash materials to representatives of over 50 Community Development Associations.
