The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF has appealed for broad steps to protect school children in the wake of the cholera outbreak in Lagos and several other states in Nigeria.
The UN organization also demanded coordinated actions to stop the disease’s spread from interfering with the academic calendar of school children.
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.
According to Lafoucriere, these vulnerable groups face substantial health risks particularly children and young adults attending schools.
She noted that children were prone to severe dehydration and 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 in order to combat the outbreak in schools,” she said.
Lafoucrier, however, solicited for adequate awareness across the country to sensitise the populace on cholera outbreaks and preventive measures as part of efforts to address the issue.
NAN
