Cholera: HSES takes awareness campaign to Mpape

The FCT Administration through Public Health Department of Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), has taken a sensitization exercise on the scourge of cholera to residents of Mpape, a suburb of Abuja.
This move, which is part of the FCTA’s health precautionary measures, in the wake of outbreak of cholera in some parts of the country, even though FCT is yet to record any case.
HSES Mandate Secretary, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, whobreaffirmed that the FCTA’s committment to addressing the disease, said it can be prevented with the right information, resources and actions.
Fasawe, who spoke through the Acting Director, Special Duties, office of the Permanent Secretary, Ijeoma Jimi-Bada, explained that the sensitization exercise is of utmost urgency, because the populace is not immune to the challenges posed by Cholera, especially as they have a critical role to play in protecting themselves.
She however, called for the cooperation of the residents in adhering to the information provided on how to prevent Cholera, and sanitation practices to help protect themselves.
She said: “We are not powerless in the face of this disease, with the right knowledge, resources and actions, Cholera can be prevented, controlled and ultimately eradicated.
“The FCT Administration is fully committed to this cause and I want to assure you that we are mobilizing every available resource to protect our citizenry.”
Also, the Secretary expressed the commitment of the FCT Administration under the leadership of the Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, prioritizing health and environmental services because a healthy population is key to a thriving economy.
On his part, the Acting Director, FCT Public Health Department, Dr. Dan Gadzama, noted that it was important to visit Mpape community, because of the history of recorded cholera cases in the past and to remind them of the need to prioritise sanitation practices such as constant hand washing before and after every activity, treatment of drinking water, and the need to clean their environment.
While calling on the residents to report any suspected case to the nearest health facility, Gadzama, revealed that five cases had been recorded in the FCT, but had fully recovered.
He stressed that sensitization exercise is one of the many steps the government is taking to protect the residents.
Similarly, Chairman Council of Local Chiefs Forum, Mpape, Oba Musbau Olanrewaju, commended the FCT Administration for sensitising the community, as part of the ongoing efforts to not only prevent, but eradicate the disease.