Cholera hospitalizes 2,874 Bauchi residents last year – WODASS

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Samuel Luka, Bauchi

No fewer than 2,874 persons were hospitalized due to cholera disease in Bauchi state last year 2022.

A Non-Governmental organization known as Women Development Association for Self Sustenance (WODASS), made the disclosure at a meeting of Bauchi State Emirate Council on Health yesterday.

The Programme Manager of the NGO, Mr. Sukumun N. Ezekiel who presented a document during the meeting said that the affected persons were hospitalized as a result of frequent
cholera outbreaks.

Mr. Sukumun who said that the disease killed 42 persons, added that out of the 2,874 that were hospitalized, Bauchi Local Government Area
(LGA) has the highest number of casualties with about 77 percent of the cases, representing 2,185 people.

He said Toro LGA recorded 212 cholera cases within the period while Dass and Tafawa local government areas had about 100 cases each.

According to the NGO, except Bogoro, 19 local government areas out of Bauchi’s 20 LGAS recorded confirmed cholera cases in 2021.

Mr. Sukumun who stated that Cholera has been on the rise nationwide since the beginning of the year, with 74 deaths reported so far by NCDC, said children below five years are the most affected by this life-threatening and
primarily waterborne disease which thrives in
places with poor hygiene and sanitation.

He pointed out that beyond health implications, cholera also has socio-
economic impact, including affecting productivity, work-related activities and income/finances.

In order to curb cholera outbreak, the NGO said that the scope of the hygiene behavior change campaign to include hygiene education need to be widen.

Mr. Sukumun Ezekiel further explained that hygiene education should focus on key behaviors such as respiratory hygiene, hand washing, physical distancing, safe
excreta disposal, water storage and COVID-19 vaccine uptake.

He also called for routine provision of sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene interventions in communities and LGAS with poor access, especially those with endemic trends.

According to the WODASS, such facilities should be provided in schools, healthcare centers and public places to support inclusive access to
WASH for all.

WODASS which is partnering with WaterAid Nigeria also wants governments to scale-up WaterAid’s Clean Family Campaign to all local government areas across the three
senatorial zones of Bauchi and ensure that personal and environmental hygiene are at the core of immediate response plans.