The Plateau House of Assembly on Wednesday directed the state Ministry of Health to investigate suspected cases of cholera outbreak in some communities in Lantang North Local Government Area.
The Assembly gave the directive in Jos under matter of urgent public importance raised on the floor of the House by Godfrey Langdep, member representing Langtang North-North Constituency.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the suspected cholera outbreak had already claimed over 15 lives within the locality.
Langdep said he brought the issue before the assembly because the people of his constituency were affected directly.
He said: “The outbreak of the suspected cholera disease has traumatised my people and very many of them are moving from their original place of abode to other communities for safety.
“My fear is that if nothing is urgently done, the spread of the disease will escalate because as they are moving, so also the disease is moving with them to other areas.”
The lawmaker urged the assembly to take urgent measures to avert further spread of the disease within the locality and possibly other parts of the state.
The Speaker of the assembly, Assemblyman Peter Azi, directed the state Ministry of Health to swing into action and ensure that the outbreak was brought under control.
Azi, who described the motion as a matter of life and death, directed the House Committee on Health to ensure the ministry waded into the situation without further delay.
He urged all relevant agencies such as NEMA and SEMA to move in and assist the community in curbing the situation, to avert further spread of the disease.
He also called on the inhabitants of the communities to report immediately any suspected case of the disease to the Primary Healthcare Department of the local government, for immediate medical attention.
NAN.
—