The Wife of the Ebonyi Governor, Mrs Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, has donated medical commodities to the General Hospital in Iboko, Izzi Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
Nwifuru made the donation on Saturday following the scourge of Cholera outbreaks from the community.
The governor’s wife while making the donation, commiserated with families of the victims and encouraged them not to lose hope as her husband, Gov. Francis Nwifuru, and other stakeholders are working to end the scourge.
She said that the visit followed the alarming rate of the scourge which would also identify factors that contributed to the spread of the disease.
“The sight of these people battling cholera is a reminder that we must do more to protect our communities from the devastating effects of infectious diseases.
“The root causes are poor sanitation, lack of access to clean water, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure and we are addressing these issues.
According to her, the outbreak is not just a health emergency, but a call to action.
She called on local government chairpersons, community leaders, religious leaders, and civil society organizations to join in the fight against the scourge and raise awareness for prevention.
She urged them to be proactive in strengthening public health systems, educating families on need to access clean water and proper sanitation.
She appreciated support from the World Health Organisation, other partners, the state ministry of Health, led by the Commissioner, Dr Moses Ekuma, and healthcare workers, who are on the frontlines of the fight.
Ekuma said that the state recorded 28 deaths and 386 cases since the Cholera outbreak in September.
Ekuma disclosed that most of the deaths occured at home before the emergency response team and the ministry are informed.
The medical expert stated that about six treatment centres had been designated across the state.
He noted that Mrs Nwifuru had been helping and donating to save lives.
“Today, she is here to donate, sympathise with those who lost their loved ones and see patients that are admitted.
“She donated cartons of home purification tablets, hand sanitisers, intravenous infusion, oral rehydration and salt, among other medical commodities,” Ekuma said.
He further applauded the governor on the fight so far against the epidemic.
Daniel Hernandis, Project Medical Refferal of Doctors-without-Borders, decried level of the outbreak in the state.
Hernandis said that the medical organisation had been supporting the state in the management of outbreaks and diseases that is rampart in the state and the southeast region.
“Over half of the cases was recorded in Izzi local government area,” hernandis decried.
