With the continuous increase in cholera cases, particularly in states like Lagos, the Ogun State Government has instructed school administrators to prioritize the health and safety of students and staff to prevent the spread of the disease within school settings.
A release issued by the Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, on Wednesday emphasized the implementation of preventive measures to manage the transmission of cholera within schools in the state.
These measures came into effect on June 19, 2024, as schools resumed following the mid-term break and the Eid-el-Kabir holiday.
The directive outlined various steps to mitigate the risk of cholera, including conducting informative sessions on cholera prevention for students and staff, focusing on symptoms, transmission methods, hand hygiene, and safe water consumption practices.
Other measures include ensuring the availability of clean water and soap for handwashing, promoting regular hand hygiene practices, and utilizing hand sanitizers containing at least 60% alcohol content as an additional measure.
Furthermore, maintaining water sources for drinking, promoting the consumption of boiled or chlorinated water, maintaining cleanliness in school premises, and adhering to proper waste disposal and hygiene practices were among the specified preventive actions.
Schools were also advised to work closely with local health authorities, supervise food preparation, monitor food vendors, and designate Health Officers to monitor for cholera symptoms among students and staff.
The statement concluded by emphasizing the importance of strict adherence to these preventive measures as a collective effort to protect the health and well-being of all individuals within the school community during this critical time.
“By adhering strictly to these preventive measures and maintaining a high level of vigilance, we can collectively safeguard our health and well-being during this critical period,” the statement noted.
