The cholera outbreak in the IDP camps in Nigeria reaffirms its public health threat to the country. Evidence on the current epidemiology of cholera required for the design and implementation of appropriate interventions towards attaining the global roadmap strategic goals for cholera elimination however seems lacking.
Scores of cases of cholera have
been reported in Kuchingoro IDP camp with 9 deaths within one week, newsmen
report.
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal
disease caused by Virbrio cholerae bacteria. It is passed on from faeces
through contaminated food, drinks and unhygienic environments, and causes
severe dehydration. Infected people can die if their illness is not quickly
managed with rehydration
Further investigations by a team
of journalists reveal the deplorable state of Kuchingoro IDP that camps no
fewer than 1700 persons. The camp has no adequate water, as only one borehole
serves the entire population.
Recall that EDWIIN in it's
program in July drew the attention of the World Health Organization, WHO, and
the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC to the rate at which the people in
the camper suffer from an inadequate supply of clean water and sewage system,
which has been discovered to be the cause of the outbreak.
The inclusive-driven NGO
partnered with a number of organizations and schools to provide an emergency
intervention in July, but the effect was minimal as donations and contributions
served only for a couple of weeks.
Speaking to newsmen on Saturday,
August 7, 2021, Uri Ngozichukwuka, the convener lamented the situation at the
camp and appeal to government agencies to, as a matter of urgency, come to the
aid of the Kuchingoro IDP, and save them from the clutches of the disease, by
providing adequate hygienic water supply by constructing boreholes within the
camp
Further investigations reveal
that the new KUCHINGORO IDP camp has only one functioning borehole that serves
over 1700 persons.
The camp has no hospital but a
basic drug supply window and a twice-weekly visit by a retired nurse.
Medical aid camp has also been
ravaged by STDs and infection due to open defecation, where there is not
adequate sewage system.
Some well-meaning Nigerians have
been feeding the children daily to keep them in school. As hunger looms over
the camp the school is where they readily get at least a meal a day.
“We are calling on well-meaning
individuals to help raise the living conditions of these displaced persons”,
Uri said in her response to newsmen.
EDWIIN has been partnering with
so many groups to bring succour to the camp. Amongst such is The Education
Reform group. A team of resolute distinguished professionals concerned
with restoring and redefining the
education landscape of the country to meet contemporary international
standards.
The team lead is Mrs Yemisi
Subair, a chartered accountant and an author.
It will be recalled that on May
27th Standard Bearer School's CEO Mrs Modupe Adeyinka Oni also launched the
I-Africa which pushes for a rural online school. The children in the IDP CAMP
will also be the key recipients of this project.
NGOs continue to bring partners
into the camp in so many areas however the cholera epidemic has hit hard with
so many deaths within a week.
According to Modupe Oni, one of
the volunteers and early education specialists, there is a need to urgently
raise the hygiene level and awareness to prevent more deaths.
For material needs, there is an
urgent need for a clean soup Kitchen, supply of toiletries, disinfectants soaps.
Supply of mattresses and bed sheets and bed frames are also needed.
Interested volunteers and donors
are requested to reach out through 08024367544 for updates and donations.
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