No fewer than 40 persons have died out of about 1,000 people reported to have been diagnosed with cholera in 17 local government areas of Niger State. A
Most cholera patients don’t take clean water, lacked personal hygiene, govt should help affected communities –Doctors The Punch
Published 24 July 2021
Cholera cases have continued to be recorded in some states in Nigeria. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control Director-General, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, listed Bauchi, Plateau, Kano, Niger, Zamfara and Kaduna as some of the affected states. The Federal Capital Territory Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, said 60 persons died of suspected cholera in six area councils, adding that suspected cases had risen to 698. In Plateau State, the disease has killed 21 people and infected 1144 in two months as of Wednesday.
In 2007, Kenyan health economist Edwine Barasa had a long layover at Heathrow Airport. A fervent supporter of the London-based soccer club Arsenal, he saw a chance to fulfill a lifelong dream: visiting the club s ancestral stadium in Highbury. Even though he didn t have the right paperwork, he managed to convince an immigration officer to stamp his passport with a warning that he absolutely had to be back in 12 hours or they would both be in trouble.
The incident speaks to Barasa s tenacity and powers of persuasion, says his boss, Philip Bejon, who directs the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)–Wellcome Trust Research Programme. These traits, Bejon says, have served Barasa well in his role as director of the program s office in Nairobi, where he s been a key player in Kenya s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Edwine always shows up as an authentic and sincere scientist who convinces his colleagues.”