It started like a small outbreak of infection which could be contained, but it later took a frightening proportion leading to an epidemic. The epidemic lasted for a few days, but it's effects have been massive.

Cholera outbreak is often caused by unhealthy environment which is as a result of unhygienic habits of residents, especially of the affected communities. At almost every stop, one could find heaps of refuse mounted as if they were meant for sale. Refuse bins are not readily emptied and a great number of roads are littered with wastes. It is a common sight to see mountainous dunghill covering up major roads in these affected areas.

Okeira for instance lacks portable water, same with some other areas. Residents depends on a stream where the whole community gets it's water. The stream itself is not hygienic enough, let alone drinking. Different people finds their way there to bath and fetch from the same source. Some of these folks may have sore on parts of their bodies, and other forms of infection.

Defecation (stooling) around such streams complicates matter most as the water becomes contaminated even more with virus and life-threatening organelles...

In addition to the issues that may have triggered such epidemic, Okeira, being our major point of discussion lacks a good market system. The local market is located at the far side of the community hence, making it difficult to reach by residents in those areas because of several factors. Residents may then have to resolve to patronizing hawkers with open food wears which very much exposed to flies and other pathogens.

Meat sellers are mostly guilty of this...

The effect of the epidemic are enormous. Many lives are being lost.

According to available medical reports, about one hundred (100) people died in two days as a result of that epidemic at Okeira. Able-bodies men, women, children lost their lives to such an avoidable trend, thus causing anguish all over the region and other neighborhoods.

#CallToAction...

* The state government and Ikeja Local Government Council should take preventive steps to prevent such a re-occurrance...

My Thoughts...

1. Government all over should launch a campaign to enlighten residents on how to cultivate simple hygienic habits.

2. Local Government Authorities should ensure that the heaps of refuse are cleared frequently.

3. Sanitary inspectors should be sent out to homes, markets, schools to ensure residents and users constantly engage in cleaning up of their vicinities. Of course, these inspectors should be alive to their responsibilities, not accepting bribes from defaulters who may want to skip being fined...

4. Residents who fails to comply with layout rules should be made to face the law, serving as deterants to others who may want to tow such line.

5. Hospitals should be built with up-to-date facilities, and adequate facilities too should be provided in the various health centers that span through the length and breadth of the state.

Final note...

Government alone cannot bear the responsibility in ensuring an epidemic-free state. It is the collective responsibility of all asundary irrespective of our political or social apilation.

We owe our community, We owe our posterity,

We are accountable to our Creator!!

Think of These Things (#SELAH!!!)