The Northern Senators Forum has commiserated with the government and people of Borno State over the tragic loss of 37 lives to an ongoing cholera outbreak. In a statement signed by Chairman Sen. Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, the Forum also extended heartfelt condolences to bereaved families and prayed Almighty Allah grant the departed eternal rest and their families fortitude to bear the loss.
The Forum said it is deeply concerned by reports of over 3,000 cholera cases across 7 local government areas in the state. Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere bear the heaviest burden, while the 1% case fatality rate and strain on health infrastructure described by the Borno State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency constitute a serious public health emergency.
In light of the situation, the Northern Senators called on the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, in collaboration with the Borno State Government, to take immediate steps. They listed four priority actions to contain the outbreak before the rainy season worsens contamination risks.
The lawmakers urged authorities to deploy emergency medical support by dispatching NCDC rapid response teams, clinicians, and adequate supplies of IV fluids, oral rehydration salts, and antibiotics to overwhelmed treatment centers. They also called for fast-tracking oral cholera vaccination in MMC, Jere, Mafa, Konduga, Monguno, Ngala, and Magumeri, prioritizing IDP camps and flood-prone communities.
The Forum further demanded stronger WASH interventions, including emergency potable water, water treatment tablets, and sanitation facilities. They stressed the need for an aggressive campaign against open defecation and poor waste disposal. They also asked for scaled public awareness to intensify community sensitization on hand hygiene, safe food preparation, and early reporting of symptoms to health facilities.
The Northern Senators commended the Borno State Ministry of Health and partners including WHO, UNICEF, and MSF for their ongoing response efforts. They urged the Federal Government to provide all necessary resources to support the response and contain the outbreak.
“The health and safety of our people must remain our collective priority,” the Forum stated. The statement was issued from the Office of the Chairman, Northern Senators Forum, New Wing, Senate Building, National Assembly.
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