Nigeria must prevent spread Cholera in schools — UNICEF

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged for broad steps to protect school children in the wake of the cholera outbreak in Lagos and many other states.

The UN organization also demanded coordinated actions to stop the disease’s spread from interfering with the academic schedule.

The request was made on Monday by Celine Lafoucrier, Chief of UNICEF Lagos Field Office, who said in a statement that the cholera epidemics had a severe impact on children and the younger population.

Lafoucriere asserts that there are significant health concerns for these vulnerable groups, especially for children and young adults who attend school.

She noted that children were prone to severe dehydration and a high mortality rate.

“There is, therefore, an urgent need for good sanitation, hygiene practices, improved access to clean water, regular handwashing with soap and clean water to combat the outbreak in schools,” she said.

Lafoucrier, however, solicited adequate awareness across the country to sensitise the populace on cholera outbreaks and preventive measures as part of efforts to address the issue.