How LG chairman stopped Cholera blowout in Delta

OLEH—RIVERS and Bayelsa states were recently hit by a cholera outbreak, which killed over 100 persons and many expected it would spread to Delta state because of the proximity, but the sensible interven-tion of the Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area, Sir (Hon) Itiako Constantine Ikpokpo, KSM, checked the blowout from two affected communities in his domain to other parts of the state. Last month, March, there was a reported outbreak of cholera epidemic at Erowha and Umeh communities, which were hit by the same malady in 2010, leaving 30 persons dead. 5 dead

Instead of seeking medical help at the Primary Health Centre, Umeh, the villagers whose source of drinking water is the polluted river in the community resorted to traditional herbalist and self-medication. It was not after the disease had claimed five lives that some persons notified the authorities of local government. Ikpokpo swings into action Sir Ikpokpo immediately swung into action. He directed the Heads of Departments of Health and Environment as well as competent healthcare personnel in various primary healthcare centres across the local government to temporarily relocate to the affected communities. The
officials set sail with sufficient drugs and equipment needed to put the ugly situation under control. The chairman also approved immediate distribution of bottled and sachet water to all households in the two communities and placed an embargo on the use of water from the river for domestic purposes. The professional healthcare providers embarked on an aggressive sensitization of the people on the need to boil their water before use and promptly report any suspected case of the disease to local authorities. Umeh water scheme resuscitated Confirmed cases were treated in the field, while majority of the people thronged the Umeh Primary Healthcare Centre and a temporary treatment centre at the Erowha Primary School, where health officials gave tips on how to combat the disease in addition to examination and administration of preventive drugs. During a visit to the area, the chairman directed that the
abandoned SURE-P water project at Umeh be immediately completed. He also announced the award of a contract for the drilling of two water boreholes in Erowha to enhance the people’s access to potable water. Less than three days after his intervention, the abandoned Umeh Water Scheme was resuscitated with outlets in strategic places for easy access by the people. Commenting on the development, the Chief Epidemiologist of the State Ministry of Health, Dr. S. Ofili, who led a delegation of the ministry to the chairman, stated that his prompt response and physical visit to the affected communities was unprece-dented in the history of disease outbreak in the state. A prominent Umeh indigene and public affairs commentator, Chief Duncan Afahokor, applauded the quick inter-vention of the local government, describing it as commendable and proof that govern-ment could, indeed, work. He said it was gratifying to note that no more death was recorded after the inter-vention of the chairman. He thanked Ikpokpo for his effort at resuscitating the community water project and appealed to the council, other relevant agencies and political leaders to put in place preventive steps aimed at averting a re-occurrence.

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About Ahmad Abdullahi Adamu