The Oyo State Government on Tuesday, confirmed a cholera outbreak in the state, with 245 suspected cases reported between January 1 and October 7.
only 23 of those cases were confirmed, and there's been just one recorded death.
Oluwasherimi Ajetumobi, The state Commissioner for Health, made this known while briefing newsmen at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan, the state capital, at the end of the weekly Executive Council Meeting.
According to Ajetumobi, the cholera outbreak in Oyo State has claimed just one life - a patient who was brought in from Lagos. However, nine other patients currently receiving treatment at the infectious disease center in Ibadan are recovering well and will be discharged soon.
“A total number of 245 suspected cases of the dreaded cholera disease was reported between January 1 and October 7, 2024, with 23 cases confirmed while only one death was recorded during the period.
"The only death recorded was a patient brought from Lagos. Nine patients, currently on admission at the Infectious Disease Center, Olodo, Ibadan are responding to treatment and will soon be discharged,” she said.
According toAjetumobi, a request for approval of the sum of N 210, 243 million state counterpart fund for the support of the net campaign coming up in May 2025 was also looked into at the EXCO meeting
”As part of the activities towards the net campaign, there are some things that we need to do and that is the reason for the request. The United States Agency for International Development initiative has procured a total of 5,670, 644 nets for the state and the state is expected to pay a counterpart fund of N 210, 243.
“The counterpart fund is to cater for the micro-planning which includes logistics, flag off, net campaign, storage and distribution across the 33 Local Government Areas of the state.
”Just as we know the burden of severe malaria in the state disproportionately affects the vulnerable population, particularly children under five, pregnant women and the elderly. Malaria, if happened during pregnancy, can lead to severe outcomes ranging from severe anaemia, miscarriage, and low birth weight which adversely affect maternal and foetal health,” she explained.
She added that the procurement of the nets cost the USAID the sum of N1,726,214,195.
The commissioner made a reassuring announcement that all households will benefit from the upcoming net distribution exercise, with special consideration given to vulnerable individuals, including children under five years old, pregnant women, and the elderly.
