By TOYIN ADEBAYO, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has directed that residents of the nation’s capital with diarrhoea disease be treated free.

This is coming as the cholera cases in the territory is nosediving with about 1,000 cases and 69 deaths since the outbreak in May.

Speaking on behalf of the administration, the Acting Secretary, Health and Human Service Secretariat (HHSS), Dr Mohammed Kawu, while updating newsmen on the current cases of Cholera and COVID-19 on Friday in Abuja, said:

“The FCT Administration has recorded a reduction in the cases of cholera this week. So far 1,000 cases were recorded with 69 deaths.

“The cases of cholera in FCT was as a result of the robust steps taken by the Administration to ensure that the outbreak was quickly curtailed.

“The Administration is also taking steps to ensure that there is no case of cholera outbreak in the city next year by providing clean potable drinking water as well as ensuring that residents maintain high personal hygiene.

“The FCT Emergency Operation Centre just briefed the FCT Minister and other top management on the latest update on the outbreak of cholera in the FCT. The update is good news because the cases are coming down.

“We had reached the peak around the 19 of July, but as of today, the cases are coming down. In total, we recorded 69 deaths and over a thousand cases and all have been treated and discharged.

“We have identified some flashpoints in the FCT. The epicentre is Bwari Area Council and we have gone there and mapped out the place and the administration has directed that certain important steps be taken so we don’t experience such outbreaks again.

“The other epic centre is in AMAC, around the Gwagwa area. It is gratifying to note that all the communities have been visited and told what they need to do prevent the cholera outbreak. It is clear they are have understood what we told them and they are taking those preventive measures that are why the figures are going down.

“We have prepositioned treatment drugs, IV fluid and other consumables in the health facilities in all high burden areas and all secondary health facilities in FCT so that anybody that shows up with diarrheal diseases is treated free.

“We have also provided important issues like water and sanitation because we have been working closely with the FCT Water Board and the Rural Water Supply RUWASSA, and AEPB.

“The most important thing is that the cases have gone down and the FCT Administration has directed that more important things be done in those areas so we don’t go through the same circle next year.” (Daily Independent)

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