- info@thetraffic.ng
- 7 Nasir El Rufai Crescent, Guzape
- Apple honors eight developers with annual Apple Design Awards
- PRESIDENT TINUBU’S MINING REFORMS YIELD SIX-FOLD INCREASE IN REVENUE, $800M FOREIGN INVESTMENT, REVEALS ALAKE
- Shettima Vows Federal Backing for Nigerian Investors: A Billion-Dollar Economy in Sight
- JAMB Raises Bar for Under-16 Admission as 599 Gifted Candidates Score Above 320 in UTME
- CPC Bloc Reaffirms Commitment to APC
- National Sports Commission Convenes Strategic Meeting With Sports Federations’ Presidents and Secretaries
- Nigeria Declares Bitcoin & Other Virtual Assets as Official Securities in Bold New Law
- Osinachi’s Husband Sentenced to Death by Hanging
- Court of Appeal Upholds IPOB’s Terrorist Status – What This Means for Nnamdi Kanu
- IG Orders Arrest Of Cops’ Killers During Abuja Shi’ite Procession
In a significant move to shield the nation’s commercial hub from future health crises, the Government of Japan has officially handed over $1.7 million worth of emergency medical supplies to the Lagos State Government. The donation is a strategic intervention designed to prevent a resurgence of the devastating cholera outbreak that gripped the state in 2024.
The handover ceremony, held at the Lagos State Medical Store in Oshodi, marked a milestone in international health cooperation. Officials noted that the supplies arrived at a “critical” juncture as the state continues to refine its response to waterborne diseases.
A Shield Against Future Outbreaks
The 2024 outbreak served as a grim wake-up call, with Nigeria recording over 77,000 cases across 31 states. Lagos alone accounted for more than 20% of those infections, a statistic that underscores the state’s vulnerability due to its high population density and flood-prone geography.
Dr. Ismail Abudus-Salam, Director of Epidemiology, Biosecurity, and Global Health representing Health Commissioner Prof. Akin Abayomi emphasized that the state has been proactive since the last crisis.
READ ALSO: The Importance of Having Chia Seeds and Milk During Ramadan
“These supplies will significantly strengthen our capacity to manage cholera and other diarrheal diseases,” Abudus-Salam stated.
He highlighted that the state has intensified training for food vendors and waste handlers, targeting the contaminated food and water sources that fueled previous spikes.
International Solidarity in Action
Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Suzuki Hideo, reiterated his country’s commitment to Nigerian public health. He revealed that Japan’s support is channeled through three major international bodies:
UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services)
WHO (World Health Organization)
UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization)
The combined $1.725 million contribution is specifically tailored to enhance surveillance and case management. Hazel Natukunda, Acting Head of Office for UNOPS in West Africa, noted that the donation includes more than just medicine. The package features diagnostic tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), and essential Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) materials.
Strategic Distribution
To ensure the aid reaches the most vulnerable citizens, the Ministry of Health has identified high-burden local government areas for prioritized distribution. Pharm. Olawale Poluyi, Director of Pharmaceutical Services, assured the public of a transparent delivery process.
Primary Focus Areas for Supplies:
Eti-Osa
Lagos Island
Ikorodu
Kosofe
Lagos Mainland
By placing these “tools for protection” directly into General Hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centres, officials are confident that Lagos can move closer to its goal of achieving zero cholera-related deaths. As the partnership between Lagos and Japan deepens, the focus remains clear: early detection and swift response are the best weapons against an invisible enemy.
