Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed on Wednesday inaugurated the mass cholera vaccination exercise to stem the spread of the disease in the state.
Mohammed, who inaugurated the exercise in Bauchi, said oral vaccines would be administered free to people of the state, as part of efforts to control the disease.
He said the vaccination exercise further demonstrated the government’s commitment to the provision of quality healthcare service delivery in the state.
The governor appreciated the Federal Government and other development partners for their support in securing the cholera vaccine, as well as community and religious leaders for their support to the state government.
While calling for effective mobilisation to enhance participation in the exercise, urged the people to cooperate with the vaccination workers to facilitate smooth conduct of the exercise.
Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (BASPHCDA), Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed said cholera outbreak was recorded in 19 of the 20 local government areas of the state.
Mohammed stated that the agency was working in collaboration with local government councils to ensure effective control of the disease.
“Cholera outbreak has so far spread to 19 local governments area, it is Bogoro that we didn’t experience cholera.
“Cholera is an acute bacterial infection associated with profuse diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration and death.
“The Agency has been working in collaboration with local government councils to control the outbreak in various communities in the state,” he said.
Mohammed listed the areas worst hit by the outbreak to include Bauchi, Ningi, Toro, Dass and Tafawa Balewa.
According to him, a rapid response centre has been established where all stakeholders contribute their quota in the fight against cholera.
Mohammed said the Agency also set up a cholera treatment centre in Bauchi, to provide free treatment for the infected people.
The Chairman urged the communities to maintain a high level of personal hygiene, wash their hands frequently, consume clean water and maintain a clean environment.
Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Health, Mr Dayyabu Hassan said the state government had received 1.5 million doses of cholera vaccine from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Hassan said the vaccines would be administered in two phases, adding that 750,000 doses of it would be administered in each phase.
