On Monday, Dr. Adamu Umar Sambo, the Commissioner of Health in Bauchi State, made a significant announcement. Despite being under close monitoring by the National Centre for Disease Control, the state has reported no cases of cholera in 2024.
This declaration was made during a phone conversation with our correspondent, providing welcome news on the health front for the state’s residents.
According to him, “I can confidently tell you that we haven’t had any reported or confirmed cases of cholera in Bauchi State since the beginning of 2024.”
He noted, “The few suspected cases we had turned out not to be cholera. Currently, we are focused on maintaining control measures and educating the public about personal hygiene, environmental sanitation, water hygiene, and other health issues.”
The Commissioner stated, “We are collaborating with BASEPA and other relevant agencies to improve drainage systems to ensure water flows freely without contaminating clean water sources.”
“So far, we have not had any confirmed cases in 2024. We are working with all relevant agencies to prevent an outbreak,” he concluded.
Further commenting on the situation, Executive Chairman of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (BASPHCDA), Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, mentioned, “Although the NCDC announced that Bauchi is among the states with cholera cases this year, we don’t have any confirmed cases yet, only some suspected cases that turned out not to be cholera.”
He noted, “In January 2024, we had 30 suspected cases from Itas/Gadau LGA. In March, we had three suspected cases in Ningi LGA, all of which tested negative. Since we have had suspected cases, we are on the NCDC’s vigilance list.”
Dr. Mohammed stressed, “With this situation, we need to prepare well as a state. Immediately after we saw the figures in January, the Agency set up a Technical Working Committee on Cholera headed by an epidemiologist, and I was actively involved in the meetings.”
Dr. Mohammed revealed that a series of meetings had taken place with donor partners to prepare for a potential cholera outbreak, given the suspected cases in the state.
A Committee comprising UNICEF, WHO, Breakthrough Action Nigeria, and other agency staff was established to develop a comprehensive Incident Action Plan. This plan, completed four months prior, outlines the necessary resources and roles for each partner in the event of an outbreak.
UNICEF and Breakthrough Action Nigeria are responsible for social mobilization, while WHO leads surveillance efforts, actively searching for cases and reporting to the Committee. To reduce water contamination, the government is working to acquire chlorine for disinfecting wells and water reservoirs.
Dr. Mohammed emphasized the importance of addressing open defecation, a major contributor to water contamination and health challenges.
He acknowledged the devastating impact of the 2022 outbreak and assured that the government is taking all necessary measures to prevent another outbreak or contain it immediately if it occurs, preventing widespread harm across the state.
