Let me ask how sustainable this will be or where it will lead us? Most members of the Nigerian leadership procure their medical care overseas on public funds; and so this is apparently not a Govt priority! The FACT is that a Govt commitment to SIMPLE pipeborne water supply in most cities, towns and villages in Nigeria can drastically reduce the incidence of these water-borne diseases. If Nigerian leadership does not muster the political will and seriously commit to make dramatic progress in regular electricity and regular public pipe-borne water supply, I will desist from further participation in these unsustainable projects. Take care. Joe Igietseme (taking his own stand against Misrule!)
P.S: No Nigerian should be proudly celebrating the 50th Independence Anniversary when no City, town or Village in Nigeria can boast of regular pipe-borne water, conveniences, or waste/sewer management system; no major City has a mass transit system that citizens can use; what is government and governance for, if not the welfare of the majority of the people and the society? Tufi akwa! What will these people do with looted public funds, even as the society is abandoned?
From: Adejumoke Akin-Taylor [mailto:jumokeakintaylor@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, September 13, 2010 2:54 PM
To: amalu@aol.com; Dr Yele Aluko; Dr. Chris Ekong; Ladi Sorunke; ogiehororhue@aol.com; Oju Okagbue; Prof Esogbue; PROF STANLEY OKOLO; sobef650@aol.com; soluwadairo@hotmail.com; Arowoselu@aol.com; Augustine Esogbue; Auwalu Ibrahim; dapo-odunlami@juno.com; Deji; Donald DUKE; eadesanya@aol.com; essins@yahoo.com; Fejiro; Femi Odere; Francis Achike; hshaiyen@aol.com; Igietseme, Joseph (CDC/OID/NCPDCID); Irobi-Devolder Joy; jimmievaughan@mail.com; jwakili@yahoo.com; kaleshe@gmail.com; Lami; letspraise@earthlink.net; MOSES A AKINLAWON; Natl. Sec. of Public Affairs; nzainabu@aol.com; oumana06@aol.com; Prof. Manny C Aniebonam; rjaja@bfigcorp.com; Salisu Abduklahh; Toyin Anjous; Vincent
Subject: Nigerian Diaspora Cholera Relief Initiative
PLEASE Read the following. Let's do something. More information coming soon!
The Global Nigerian Diaspora Forum, a collaboration of several Nigerian organizations in the Diaspora today launched the "Nigerian Diaspora Cholera Relief Initiative" in response to the widespread cholera outbreak in Nigeria that has, so far, affected up to eleven states and escalating.
While the Nigerian Govenment may have been responding to the crisis, as we have recently witnessed in Haiti, India and other nations, it is incumbent on Nigerians in Diaspora to assist.
The Global Nigerian Diaspora Forum is hereby calling out to interested Nigerian organizations/individuals to join in this initiative for a sustainable Nigeria.
The Nigerian Diaspora Cholera Relief Initiative will focus on areas that can immediately mitigate the on-going cholera outbreak:
1. Medical voluntary service on the ground: Medical Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, etc.
2. Donation of pharmaceuticals and other vital medical material/equipment.
3. Fund Raising: To assist with the shipment of medications, transportation of relief workers/volunteers, and to support local efforts in Nigeria.
4. Environmental/Health Training: To prevent future occurences and to prepare for the coordination of emergency work/efforts in the future.
5. Partnership Development with international organizations to support the Nigerian Diaspora Cholera Relief Initiative.
A global tele-conference has been scheduled for Thursday, September 16th, 2010 during which additional information will be made available.
If you and your organization will like to get involved, please contact: Mr. Mike Adeniyi (mgadeniyi@aol.com) and/or Ms. Jumoke Akin-Taylor (jumokeakintaylor@gmail.com). We will be glad to provide additional information on the relief effort, as well as, on your involvement/participation.
Sincerely,
Mr. Michael Adeniyi & Ms. Jumoke Akin-Taylor
On behalf of Global Nigerian Diaspora Forum
World Health News: Cholera Outbreak Kills More than 600 in Nigeria, Cameroon
September 9, 2010 (NewYorkInjuryNews.com - Injury News)
New Source: JusticeNewsFlash.com
08/30/2010 // West Palm Beach , FL, US // Sandra Quinlan // Sandra Quinlan
West Palm Beach, FL—More than 600 people have lost their lives as a result of a deadly cholera outbreak in the African countries of Nigeria and Cameroon. An evident lack of clean drinking water and access to lavatories, along with recent bouts of flooding, have contributed to the spread of the dangerous disease, according to a August 27, 2010 CNN report.
“Although most of the outbreaks occurred in the northwest and northeast zones, epidemiological evidence indicates that the entire country is at risk,” said the Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria.
More than 6,400 people have been sickened by Nigeria’s outbreak of the intestinal infection thus far. As of Wednesday, August 25, 352 cases proved fatal in Nigeria alone. Nearly 300 people in the neighboring country of Cameroon have been killed as a result of the cholera outbreak as well.
“There’s a lot of people crossing over the border all the time… So it’s not surprising that the cholera is also crossing over the border,” explained Dr. Eric Mintz, leader of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s global water sanitation and hygiene epidemiology team.
According to Nigeria’s Health Ministry, two out of three rural Nigeria’s do not have access to clean drinking water. Additionally, less than 40 percent of individuals residing in states affected by the cholera outbreak have access “to toilet facilities of any description.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) defined cholera as an intestinal infection that can spur symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and serious dehydration. The disease claims approximately 120,000 lives annually and can prove fatal within hours if left untreated, the WHO added.
Given that many people in rural Nigeria and Cameroon do not have access to medical aid, the infection fatality rate is much higher than it would be under “ideal conditions.” Once infected by the disease, its victims tend to release much-needed sodium and potassium through their stool and vomit.
Without prompt medical attention, the infection can be fatal. Dr. Mintz noted, ‘That delay can be critical… If you don’t get the fluids and the electrolytes replaced through hydration, you can go into shock and die as a result.”
Legal News Reporter: Sandra Quinlan. International News Coverage of Deadly Cholera Outbreak in Nigeria and Cameroon.
Cholera epidemic kills 800 people
Sunday, 12 September 2010
The worst cholera epidemic in Nigeria in 19 years has killed nearly 800 people in two months. The disease is also spreading to Cameroon, Chad and Niger, where it has killed hundreds of others.
The current outbreak began during the summer, and was initially concentrated in Nigeria's northern states. Since then it has began to spread to neighbouring countries: Chad has reported more than 40 deaths, while 300 people have died from the disease in Cameroon. Cholera, which is spread by drinking contaminated water, is a recurring problem in districts with poor sanitation: more than half Nigeria's 150 million people lack access to clean drinking water. This year's rainy season produced floods which made water sources particularly susceptible to contamination. Nigeria last saw an outbreak on a comparable scale in 1991, when 7,654 people died, the World Health Organisation said.
Cholera stalking West Africa
Saturday, September 11, 2010 | Comments: 0
Associated Press Writer Jon Gambrell reports that a severe Cholera outbreak is stalking West Africa after the heavy rains.
According to his report the terrible epidemic has killed nearly 800 Nigerians in two months and is now spreading to Cameroon, Chad and Niger where it has killed hundreds more.
Gambrell describes the less than ideal conditions as more and more patients put pressure on the hospitals in Nigeria.
The main problem being the lack of clean drinking water in the region which is allowing the waterborne bacterial disease to bloom.
The Nigerian Health Ministry puts the numbers of victims at 13,000 people.
Seasonal rains have turned the trash pit in one village into a pond of raw sewage, which seeps into nearby wells, infecting people.
"These areas become breeding ground for cholera," said Chris Cormency, a UNICEF official monitoring the epidemic.
Recently Zimbabwe suffered an outbreak after their healthcare resources and sanitation projects were hit by sanctions and mismanagement.
Nigerian Compass Newspaper
Mark’s wife expresses worry over cholera outbreak
Monday, 13 September 2010 05:13 Samuel Ogidan
•Calls for urgent attention
WIFE of the Senate President, Mrs Helen Mark, at the weekend expressed worry over the continuous spread of cholera in some parts of the country and called for urgent measures.
She tasked health professionals, governments at all levels, community and religious leaders to put in place measures to combat the epidemic, which has continued to wreak havoc on the lives of Nigerians for weeks.
Mrs. Mark decried the spread despite the level of awareness among the people, saying the disease is spreading easily owing to lack of potable water in many parts of the affected areas.
Her words: “What causes this recent cholera outbreak, especially during the rainy season, is that most of the communities don’t treat their water before using it. When there is flood, it goes inside the well and when such water is taken, one will be infected.
“The main symptoms of cholera are profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting, which severe cases may lead to dehydration and death. Most outbreaks are related to contaminated drinking water, typically in situations of poverty, overcrowding and poor sanitation.
“We should cultivate the habit of washing hands thoroughly either with soap, ashes or salt for a healthy living. We should avoid dirty and poor hygienic environments and have recourse to good sanitary conditions.”
She counselled that while the governments are making efforts to provide enough water sources and relief materials to the citizenry, people should learn to adopt clean living habits.
She also stressed that the administration would not relent on sensitisation campaign, adding that “it is only when you know where the problem comes from that you can take precautions”.
--
Jumoke Akin-Taylor
I am Nigeria, the changes begin with me©
Your dreams are a gift from God, what you do with them, are your gifts back.
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