The Niger State Government says it has brought the recent cholera outbreak under control after successfully discharging over 320 patients from treatment centres across the state.
The outbreak, which affected six local government areas, claimed 14 lives, but health authorities now say that fewer than 10 patients remain on admission.
Speaking during a live programme on Radio Niger, the Commissioner for Primary Health Care, Dr. Ibrahim Dangana, revealed that swift intervention efforts, coordinated through Emergency Operation Centres and Disease Surveillance Systems in all 274 wards, helped curtail the spread.
“Out of 327 confirmed cases, we have discharged virtually all. Only a few patients are still receiving treatment,” Dangana said.
He explained that the state had established Cholera Treatment Units (CTUs) in all 25 local government areas, adding that early detection, rapid response, and collaboration with partners like UNICEF proved decisive in stemming the outbreak.
In response to the outbreak, over 14,000 households have received water treatment kits distributed jointly by the state government and UNICEF.
The supplies include chlorine-based purification tablets, calcium hypochlorite, and water testing kits.
UNICEF Health Specialist for Kaduna Field Office, Idris Baba, said the materials supplied were sufficient to manage all current and potential cases. He detailed that the kits provided include:
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40 cholera beds
Oral rehydration solutions such as Ringer’s lactate and normal saline
Antibiotics, scrubs, disposable gowns, gloves, and boots
Rapid diagnostic tools for stool testing
Dangana added that the ministry had ramped up public sensitization campaigns, reaching more than 16,000 school children, as well as communities, markets, and religious institutions to raise awareness about cholera prevention and hygiene.
“The support from MDAs, partners, and community structures has been outstanding. We can say confidently that we’re winning this battle,” he said.
The state government reiterated its commitment to sustained health education, clean water supply, and early warning systems to prevent future outbreaks.