WaterAid Nigeria has advised the Bauchi State Cholera Technical Working Group (TWG) to focus on rehabilitating deteriorating Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities as part of efforts to prevent cholera outbreaks.
The call was made by the organisation’s State Team Lead, Mr Mashat Mallo, at the conclusion of the TWG meeting held on Monday in Bauchi.
Mallo said strengthening WASH infrastructure was essential for a timely and effective response to cholera and other water-related diseases.
Represented by WaterAid’s Business Development Officer, Kashim Alex, he cautioned against excessive dependence on donor funding, describing it as unsustainable.
He noted that donor funds were often channelled through Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), largely to support the maintenance and sustainability of existing WASH facilities.
Mallo therefore urged relevant stakeholders to maximise the use of such resources to repair damaged facilities rather than waiting for additional donor interventions.
He welcomed the inauguration of the Cholera TWG, which agreed to meet monthly, while its steering committee would convene on a quarterly basis.
Mallo also stressed that collaboration with civil society groups, faith-based organisations and the media would play a crucial role in curbing cholera outbreaks in Bauchi State.
Speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Sani Dambam, said the state government was adopting a preventive strategy anchored on nine thematic focus areas.
According to him, the strategy includes disease surveillance, sustained deployment of oral cholera vaccines, effective leadership and coordination, risk communication and community engagement.
Dambam called on stakeholders to step up awareness campaigns against poor hygiene practices, especially during the first quarter of the year when cholera incidence is usually highest.
