Date: 2017-06-08

The Goal-Getters Initiative has said that the outbreak of cholera in three local government areas of Kwara State is worrisome and therefore deserve the attention of all residents of the state.

This was contained in a statement released in Ilorin on Wednesday by the Initiator of Goal-Getters Initiative, Kayode Oyin-Zubair.

The epidemic according to him has claimed a good number of lives of innocent children while many have been hospitalised. The affected parts in Ilorin are Ogidi, Akerebiata, Alagbado, Okelele and Basin areas.

The statement reads; "As at Tuesday night about 100 cases of cholera have been reported in a government facility in the heart of Ilorin and a private hospital around Maraba area. It got worse when they couldn't provide more bed space to admit patients which made many to sleep on the floor, chairs and benches.

" Public health managers were worried that rain washed contaminants including faeces into the shallow wells used by residents in those areas. This is a clear indication of lack of safe and clean sources of water and poor hygiene.

"Their environments are unhygienic, there is no good source of water and residents defecate in open places."

It continued that; "The bold steps taken by the Goal-Getters Initiative which has really reduced the problem of lack of water in some rural communities in five local government areas of the state with the support of public spirited individuals will be scaled up.

" We have decided to add to the work of our technicians that were recently trained on hand pump boreholes repair. They shall be involved in public health awarenesses to stem the further spread of the epidemic to those areas.

"We therefore invite traditional rulers, religious leaders and concerned citizens to join in the fight against cholera in Kwara State. Our people should be reminded that washing of their hands with soap and water after defecation, washing of fruits before consumption and ensuring that sources of drinking water remain clean are very important tips in preventing more people from getting infected".