The commissioner for health in Ebonyi State, Dr Moses Ekuma, yesterday disclosed that the state had recorded 28 deaths and 386 cases of cholera since the disease broke out on September 24.
Ekuma made this known to newsmen on Saturday during the donation of medical commodities by the Governor’s wife, Mrs Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, to the General Hospital in Iboko, Izzi local government area.
Ekuma said most deaths occurred at home before the emergency response team and the ministry were informed.
He attributed cholera outbreaks to contaminated water, poor sanitation, and improper disposal of refuse, among other factors. To tackle the outbreak, he said about six treatment centres had been designated across the state.
He said the governor’s wife’s donation, made through her pet project, Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Foundation (BERWO), included home purification tablets, hand sanitisers, intravenous infusion, and oral rehydration salt.
Ekuma commended the governor’s efforts against the epidemic. Mrs Nwifuru, while making the donation, commiserated with families of the victims and encouraged them not to lose hope.
She noted that the visit aimed to identify factors contributing to the spread of the disease.
“The sight of these people battling cholera is a reminder that we must do more to protect our communities from infectious diseases,” she said.
Project Medical Referral of Doctors-without-Borders, Daniel Hernandis, decried the outbreak’s level, stating that over half of the cases were recorded in Izzi local government area.
Hernandis appreciated the support from the World Health Organisation and healthcare workers on the frontlines.(NAN)
