First Lady of Ebonyi State
Chief Mrs Mary-Maudline Ogbonna Nwifuru, wife of the governor and founder of Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Persons (BERWO), Saturday, distributed essential drugs and hospital consumables to Iboko General Hospital in Izzi Local Government Area to combat the cholera outbreak.
The governor’s wife made the distribution during the cholera awareness event where she announced BERWO’s Cholera Awareness and Prevention Initiative to educate communities on cleanliness, hygiene, and early detection.
Mrs. Nwifuru emphasized the importance of collective action in combating the disease stating it was part of BERWO’s campaign, to launch Initiatives across the state
The First Lady thanked the State Ministry of Health, BERWO, Doctors-without-Borders, and the World Health Organization for their support and called on local government chairpersons, community leaders, religious leaders, and civil society organizations to join forces in raising awareness.
“Our traditional rulers, youth groups, market women, and local organizations all have critical roles to play in preventing the spread of cholera,” she urged.
Mrs. Nwifuru further reiterated her commitment to supporting the state government’s efforts in tackling the outbreak, appreciating interventions and support from the state government, and international partners in ensuring that morbidity and mortality are kept at the barest minimum.
Dr. Ekuma the commissioner for health l, attributed the outbreak to contaminated water, poor sanitation, and improper disposal of refuse and urged residents to visit any of the six emergency treatment centers designated to handle cholera cases.
Daniel Hernandis, Project Medical Referral for Doctors Without Borders, expressed concern over the severity of the outbreak.
“Two and a half weeks ago, we were called to respond to a cholera outbreak, and we have tried to do our best to tackle the most pressing issues,” Hernandis said
© Nnenna Oshibe
