The Chief of UNICEF Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucrier, has called on the Lagos State Government to urgently provide high-standard water and sanitation facilities to communities to curb the cholera outbreak in the state.
This plea comes as the current cholera outbreak has spread across multiple Local Government Areas, with 17 confirmed cases and 15 deaths.
Lafoucrier emphasised the need for the state government to strengthen its healthcare systems to respond effectively to outbreaks, stating, “Addressing the challenges of cholera outbreaks requires a deliberate focus of state policies to provide high-standard water and sanitation facilities, as well as strengthened healthcare systems capable of responding to the demand in times of outbreaks.”
The UNICEF official also stressed the importance of educational campaigns on cholera prevention, particularly to protect children and the population at large.
She highlighted the urgent need for improved access to clean water and sanitation in many areas, noting that despite efforts to provide water, the outbreak underscores the necessity for clean and risk-free water provision.
Cholera, a highly contagious food and water-borne disease, spreads through contaminated food or water and poor sanitation. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.
Lafoucrier stressed the importance of good sanitation and hygiene practices in preventing cholera, advocating for sustainable WASH infrastructure, strengthened health systems, and community engagement strategies to halt transmission.
She added that a comprehensive approach, including rapid surveillance, social mobilization, treatment, and vaccination, is essential to alleviate cholera outbreaks and protect public health.