To curb the spread of cholera, the Ogun State government has instructed school leaders to ensure all students and staff adhere to precautionary measures within their communities.
Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, the commissioner for education, science, and technology, issued the directive in a statement from Abeokuta on Wednesday. He emphasised that preventive measures have been implemented to manage the spread of this water and food-borne disease.
These measures came into effect on Wednesday following the resumption of schools after the mid-term break and Eid-el-Kabir holiday. They include extensive health talks on cholera prevention, information on symptoms, how it spreads, proper hand hygiene, and safe drinking water practices. Additional steps involve providing clean water and soap for handwashing in schools to encourage regular hand hygiene before and after meals or using the restroom.
He also stressed the importance of using hand sanitisers containing at least 60% alcohol content to supplement handwashing efforts.
Furthermore, he highlighted the necessity for regular inspections and upkeep of water sources on school premises to ensure their safety for consumption.
“Monitor closely the food vendors and ensure that they collect letters from health facilities, certifying their fitness for the job,” he added.
He stated that health officials would be deployed to schools to oversee staff and students and to promptly report any signs or symptoms of cholera, such as frequent watery stools, vomiting, and so on.
He also instructed that any case should be reported to the nearest healthcare centre and the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology.
“By adhering strictly to these preventive measures and maintaining a high level of vigilance, we can collectively safeguard our health and wellbeing during this critical period,” he added.