Cholera outbreak: CSOs counter Bayelsa govt, say deaths recorded

From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa

A coalition of Civil Society Organisation under the aegis of the Bayelsa State Non-Governmental Organisations Forum (BANGOF) has expressed concern over what it called a health crisis in Nembe Local Government Area due to a suspected outbreak of cholera.

The Bayelsa State Government through its Commissioner for Health, Prof Seiyefa Brisibe, after an on-the-spot assessment to the local government recently dismissed reports of Cholera outbreak and deaths, insisting that people were suffering from gastrointestinal ailments.

However, BANGOF after its field assessment conducted on January 14, 2025, has stated that there is evidence that a suspected Cholera outbreak has claimed lives and continues to threaten public health in several communities within the local government area.

The group in a press statement signed by its chairman and secretary, Mr. Taritein Boco and Inatimi Odio respectively, called for transparency and urgent action on the part of the state government saying that the first case was reported on December 10, 2024, had resulted in 15 deaths in Ogbolomabiri, Bassambiri, Nembe Creek, and surrounding communities, with numerous individuals still undergoing treatment in almost overwhelmed healthcare facilities.

While expressing disappointment with the inadequate response from the health authorities despite early reporting, it added that essential drugs supplied to affected areas had been grossly insufficient.

It pointed out that there were missing gaps in the government’s intervention mechanism and implored the state government and health authorities to be more forthcoming on the true state of things.

“The Commissioner of Health, during a radio discussion programme on January 16, 2025, stated that no deaths had been recorded due to the outbreak and refrained from confirming the exact cause of the outbreak, but attributing the situation to some form of diarrheal diseases. This statement contradicts information gathered from healthcare facilities and testimonies from community members, which unequivocally confirmed fatalities and the presence of cholera-like symptoms. We urge the commissioner to launch a further investigation into the issue of fatalities in the various health facilities in Nembe.

“BANGOF emphasises the need for transparency and decisive action to address this escalating public health emergency. We call on the Bayelsa State Government to release laboratory results, and expedite the processing and publication of stool sample results to guide interventions.

“It should publicly declare the actual cause of the outbreak to galvanise appropriate response measures. It should deploy adequate resources, including medical supplies and personnel, to affected areas immediately. It should address the root causes of the outbreak by improving access to safe-drinking water and sanitation facilities in Nembe LGA and other vulnerable areas.

“The ongoing health crisis highlights systemic gaps in the state’s public health and water infrastructure. Failure to address these issues effectively jeopardises lives and undermines public confidence in governance. We urge the government to act swiftly and decisively to protect the health and well-being of its citizens.”