Following the outbreak of cholera in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, that has claimed the lives of five with many hospitalised in various hospitals, the state government said it would lock up houses without toilet facilities.
Tribune Online recalls that the capital city was hit with the epidemic in areas such as Kuto, Lafenwa, Oke -Ijeun, Abule-Otun and Idi-Aba.
The state government in a release by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Kunle Somorin, on Saturday, also vowed to arrest landlords of such houses.
The statement said the directive was handed over by Abiodun through the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Adesanya Ayinde, that the directive would become operational this week.
The Permanent Secretary said the governor described open defecation in the 21st century as unacceptable to the world, considering the danger it poses on human lives.
Ayinde said that government would soon send workers out to inspect round the length and breadth of the state, warning that anyone found flouting the order will face the wrath of the law.
“Government will soon send its workers to inspect houses across the state. Any house owner who fails to provide toilet in his house will be made to face the consequences,” the Permanent Secretary stated.
ALSO READ: SA killings: We are glad justice has been done ― Dabiri-Erewa
The Permanent Secretary said the present administration in Ogun State is on top of the situation to contain the epidemic, saying that the government had swung into action on confirming an index case by commencing a thorough investigation in the suspected areas and visiting the health facilities in the communities for search in case of any active complaints.
Dr Ayinde stated that out of the five deaths reported in the news, only one was taken to the government health facility, pointing out that contact tracing helped the officials to get information on the other four victims.
“Away from insinuations from some quarters, not only cholera causes vomiting and diarrhoea but the index case was confirmed by a laboratory test.
“Our action is to see that we disseminate correct information to different places. We have our Information Communication Education (IEC) materials across the state, including the rural areas,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary said that the State Hospital, Ijaiye, Abeokuta, has been identified as referral center for treatment, noting that cholera alert has been sent to all health facilities in the state in case of any suspected patient.
He added that the present administration in the state has decided to fumigate the affected areas through the Ministries of Health and Agriculture respectively to get rid of any form of infectious diseases.
The Permanent Secretary said that health workers are on the field for continuous surveillance, adding that efforts have been set in motion to sensitise the public on safe drinking, hand washing as well as personal and environmental hygiene.