LAWMA tasks residents on hygiene, proper waste management

As the state government increases control measures to manage the spread of Cholera outbreak in the state, the Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Authority, Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, has called on residents to observe personal and domestic hygiene at the best standard.

This is as he advised them on proper waste management practices to curb the spread of the rampaging disease.

The LAWMA boss issued the advice in his office to guide residents against the recent outbreak of the disease, which has claimed some lives, leaving many hospitalised.

Cholera, a severe diarrheal illness caused by infection with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, spreads primarily through contaminated water and food, thriving rapidly in unsanitary conditions.

“The outbreak of cholera in the state is a serious public health concern. Every resident must take proactive measures to prevent further spread of the disease. Ensuring proper personal and domestic hygiene, including efficient waste management, will go a long way in curbing the spread of the fatal disease,” a statement on Wednesday by the Director of Public Affairs, LAWMA, Kadiri Folashade, quoted Gbadegesin to have said.

In the copy of the statement made available to our correspondent, the LAWMA boss suggested precautionary measures including proper waste disposal; ensuring safe drinking water; frequent hand-washing with soap; food safety practices and use of proper sanitation facilities among others.

He admonished residents to shun indiscriminate refuse dumping and to imbibe the practice of bagging and disposing of their waste using covered bins, to prevent the spread of diseases by vectors, and to ensure seamless evacuation by assigned PSP operators.

Gbadegesin said the authority would continue to intensify efforts at making sure that waste generated across the state was promptly and efficiently managed, with service providers working around the clock to clean up black spots.

He further appealed to residents to always wash their hands when they come in contact with waste, either while bagging or putting in covered bins, urging them to align with the state government’s environmental and health safety policies, by avoiding reckless waste dumping in drains, road medians, among other negative environmental practices.

“We are fully committed to the health and safety of every Lagosian. Our teams are on the ground, ensuring that waste is properly collected and disposed of to minimise health risks. However, we need the cooperation of all residents to maintain a clean and safe environment,” he stressed.

The agency had over the years championed the campaign on the importance of waste bagging and proper containerisation, through various programmes and initiatives.

As the outbreak generates more concern, the Lagos State Government in an advisory issued on Monday to parents, guardians, and school authorities urged all to adhere to safety guidelines to ensure the health and safety of children.

It called for adherence to precautionary measures to ensure children’s safety amid the cholera outbreak as schools resume from the mid-term and Sallah break.

It also called for daily health checks and monitoring of a child’s health for symptoms such as the passage of frequent watery stool with or without vomiting.

The government also appealed to parents to keep their children at home if they exhibit any signs of illness and seek medical advice.

The state called for hand hygiene by ensuring a child carries a hand sanitiser and encouraging frequent hand washing with soap and water, especially before meals and after using the restroom.

It also advised schools to ensure that all school food handlers follow strict hygiene practices to prevent contamination and the spread of cholera.

The government appealed to parents to stay in touch with their children’s school for updates on health guidelines and report any health concerns to the school promptly.

The state government had on June 11 alerted residents on the outbreak of cholera in the city.

The state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, had disclosed that laboratory tests confirmed that the outbreak was highly aggressive and contagious, with potential for widespread transmission.

Abayomi disclosed that 350 suspected cases of cholera were reported in 29 wards across multiple local government areas in the state.

According to him, there are 17 confirmed cases and 15 fatalities attributed to severe dehydration caused by delayed presentation at health facilities.

In response, the United Nations Children’s Fund called for extensive measures to protect school children against the cholera outbreak in the country.

UNICEF said cholera “critically affects” children and the young population, noting that efforts should be made to protect them.

The agency called for efforts to prevent disruption in the academic calendar over the spread of the disease.