The Chairman of Bomadi Local Government Area in Delta State, Rawlings Andaye, has taken proactive steps to prevent the spread of cholera in his locality. As part of his efforts, he has distributed free drugs to all primary healthcare centers across the council area to ensure immediate treatment for potential cases.
The Supervisory Councillor for Health, Adaka Amameniye, led the distribution of the medications at Kpakiama Primary Healthcare Centre on Friday. While overseeing the allocation of drugs to various healthcare facilities in the riverine communities, he noted that the Local Government provided the medications at no cost to ensure accessibility for all residents.
According to Amameniye, the council chairman acted swiftly, even before any recorded case of cholera in the area, to curb the possible spread of the disease. He stated that free treatment had been ordered in all healthcare centers in the council area, emphasizing the importance of preparedness.
“In case of any emergency arising from the disease,” he noted, “patients should be treated free of charge in all the primary healthcare facilities.”
He further urged residents to seek medical help at the nearest primary healthcare center if they experience symptoms or suspect a case of cholera in their communities.
The Chief Matron at Kpakiama Primary Healthcare Centre, Eunice Edonkumoh, who is the most senior health officer in the LGA, expressed appreciation to the council chairman for his prompt intervention. She confirmed that the distribution of free drugs is ongoing across various healthcare facilities in the affected communities.
She also raised awareness about the nature of cholera, explaining that it is a communicable disease mainly caused by consuming contaminated water and food. According to her, cases have already been recorded in Esanma, Ogriagbene, Akugbene, Kpakiama, and several other communities.
Edonkumoh advised residents to maintain proper hygiene and take necessary precautions to avoid contracting the disease. She urged people to boil their drinking water, eat freshly cooked meals, wash their hands regularly, and ensure proper sanitation practices.
“However, some important preventive measures of the cholera disease are proper boiling of water before drinking, serving your food hot, eating your food hot, washing of hands before and after eating, washing your fruits before eating, and washing your hands after going to the toilet,” she added.
