State government, through the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with World Health Organization has taken community sensitization and engagement on Early Flood warnings and preparatory
actions, to Odekpe in Ogbaru Local Government area.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Vincent Okpala, the State Co-ordinator of World Health Organization, Dr. Chukwumuanya Igboekw and staff, community members, among others, attended the exercise.
Doctors, Pharmacists and other health practitioners took turn to offer
free consultations and attend to Community members, including men, but
mostly women and children between the ages of zero month to over sixty years.
Sensitization on flood-related health emergencies surveillance, early case detection and investigation of all reported outbreaks of cholera and other
epidemic prone diseases including yellow fever and malaria featured at
the event.
Immunization and free tests were also conducted as well as free distribution of drugs.
Dr. Okpala said that the campaign is targeted at flood prone areas,
and commended Governor Willie Obiano for his efforts during the last
deluge which he said, attracted the attention of the International Community.
The State Co-ordinator of World Health Organization, Dr Igboekwu said
that following the request by Anambra State government to prepare for
the 2019 flood, WHO received support from the United Nation’s Central
Emergency Response Fund and disclosed that they have done a lot in Local
Government Areas of the State in terms of capacity building as well as
early warning and preparedness.
The President General of Odekpe Progressive Union, Mr Vincent Okei
expressed gratitude to the State government , noting that once health issues
come up, Odekpe is usually chosen as starting point, adding that the area
is prone to flood and stressed that ravaging effect of flood in recent
times calls for worry and called on people of the area to be careful and heed
government calls and directives at all times.
One of the Community members, Mrs. Njideka Okechukwu told the ABS that
they were already used to flood and promised to put into practice the
teachings given to them.
Awareness on flood and food related illnesses including cholera,
malaria and yellow fever and how to prevent or attend to them also
featured at the event.
It would be recalled that the State government has mounted campaign of
strong indicators on impending flood in about eight local government
areas this year, just like it happened last year.
