By Walter Wilson Nana
The Secretary General in the Southwest Governor’s Office, Handerson Quetong Kongeh has told the people in the Region to be on the alert and put up a rigorous fight against the Cholera epidemic.
At an extra-ordinary session of the Southwest Regional Committee for the fight against cholera, that took place in Buea, recently, Kongeh, accompanied by the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Public Health in charge of Epidemics and Pandemics, Alim Hayatou, said they are out to sensitise Cameroonians on the relentless fight against cholera. “Cholera is a contagious disease that is present all the time, so, we have to reiterate the need to be on the guard,” he added.
Secretary General in Health Ministry Prof Fru Angwafor II (R) hands information on the fight against cholera to SG, Southwest Governor's Office
While conveying government’s message of compassion to the families of the more than 33 persons who lost their lives in the 2010 cholera outbreak in the Region, Kongeh blamed the deaths on negligence on the part of the patients, who failed to make it to the hospital as fast as possible for speedy medical attention.
He advised on the continuous culture of cleanliness in the Region as part of the measures to put cholera at bay.
According to the Secretary General, after the 2004 and 2010 cholera outbreaks in the Southwest Region, the fight must be ongoing; therefore, the necessary logistics must be handy.
He mentioned that since the November 14 2010 cholera outbreak in Bolifamba, Mile 16, Buea, the Southwest Regional Delegation of Public Health has been on its feet, with the creation of eight health districts to curb the spread.
On the cholera situation in the Southwest Region, Dr. Atembeh of the Epidemiological Surveillance Unit in the Delegation of Public Health, said the epidemic has been promoted by food insecurity, cultural factors, population movements, movements of contaminated streams and proximity of cholera communities to cholera free zones.
The Mayor of Buea Municipality, Charles Mbella Moki said his municipality is working hand-in-glove with the government to boot-out cholera in Buea and the Southwest Region in general.
He expressed gratitude to the health personnel for being dedicated in the ongoing fight, saying; “together, we shall sent out cholera from our Region.”
The Secretary of State in charge of Public Health, Alim Hayatou joined the Buea Mayor in lauding the efforts of the health personnel and all the national and international stakeholders in the fight against cholera in Cameroon.
He entreated them to be on the edge of their seats, noting that the risks are still lingering, especially with some of the poor eating habits noticed amongst members of the population, poor housing and sanitary conditions and inadequate healthy habits.
Hayatou said the fight against cholera is all about prevention, cleanliness, good eating habits and good health for everybody.
