President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to establish a cabinet committee to oversee the cholera emergency operation center led by the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC).
The committee will comprise members from the Ministries of Health, Finance, Water Resources, Environment, Education, Youth, and Aviation.
Health Minister Ali Pate stated that the committee's efforts will complement support from state governments to reduce open defecation, as cholera is a developmental issue requiring a multi-sectoral approach. The President instructed the committee to provide resources to the NCDC's emergency operation center.
Currently, 31 states have recorded 1,528 cholera cases with 53 deaths in Nigeria. The country is experiencing the 7th global cholera pandemic, which has affected over 200,000 cases in five regions worldwide this year. A multi-sectoral approach is needed to contain the outbreak through awareness, handwashing, hygiene, sanitation, and treatment.
