Lagos Receives $1m Japanese Support to Prevent Cholera Outbreak

• Lagos Receives $1m Japanese Support to Prevent Cholera Outbreak
• Akin Abayomi described the intervention as timely and impactful
• Olawale Poluyi assured that the supplies would be efficiently stored and transparently distributed across general hospitals and primary healthcare centres

Lagos State’s cholera preparedness efforts have received a significant boost following the donation of emergency medical supplies and response materials by the Government of Japan.

Eko Hot Blog reports that the development was disclosed in a statement on Friday by Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Ministry of Health.

EDITOR’S PICK

• 540 Candidates Cleared as Lagos APC Moves to Elect LGA Executives
• Court Sentences Pastor to Death for Killing UniUyo Student
• Lagos Teacher Questions Lack of Recognition for One-Day Governor Mentors

According to the statement, the donation is aimed at preventing a recurrence of the 2024 cholera outbreak, which severely affected the state.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, described the intervention as timely and impactful, noting that the supplies would support cholera management as well as treatment of other diarrhoeal diseases.

Abayomi, who was represented at the handover by the Director of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health, Ismail Abudus-Salam, recalled that contaminated food and water were identified as major drivers of the 2024 outbreak. He said ongoing capacity-building initiatives targeting food vendors, water vendors and waste handlers are expected to reduce health risks, particularly in flood-prone communities.

He also referenced a related intervention executed through United Nations Industrial Development Organization, which strengthened emergency response capacity among informal sector operators in high-risk areas.

Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Suzuki Hideo, said the handover symbolises Japan’s continued support for Nigeria’s fight against cholera. He noted that Japan is funding three complementary cholera-related projects in the country, implemented through United Nations Office for Project Services, World Health Organization and UNIDO, with a combined contribution of $1.725 million.

According to the ambassador, the projects are designed to strengthen emergency response systems, provide essential medical commodities and enhance preventive capacity among frontline health workers.

He referenced Japan’s experience during its 1858 cholera outbreak in Edo, now Tokyo, where early disinfection, isolation and hygiene measures helped reduce fatalities. He added that similar public health principles remain critical today.

Citing 2024 data, the ambassador said Nigeria recorded more than 77,000 cholera cases across 31 states, with Lagos accounting for over 20 per cent of infections. He stressed that preventing outbreaks in Lagos is central to controlling transmission nationwide.

Hazel Natukunda, Head of United Nations Office for Project Services Nigeria/West Africa, said Japan’s $1 million grant funded essential medicines, diagnostics, WASH materials, personal protective equipment and other supplies to strengthen surveillance, case management and infection prevention in Lagos health facilities.

She said the intervention also enhances supply chain resilience and offers greater protection to frontline health workers.

The Director of Pharmaceutical Services at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Olawale Poluyi, assured that the supplies would be efficiently stored and transparently distributed across general hospitals and primary healthcare centres.

He added that high-burden local government areas, including Eti-Osa, Lagos Island, Ikorodu, Kosofe and Lagos Mainland, would be prioritised in the distribution process.