How water from untreated boreholes exposes Gombe residents to cholera

A cholera outbreak was declared in Gombe State over the week by the Ministry of Health, which was reported to have killed four people, leaving other 48 people hospitalised. The cholera struck six out of 11 political wards of Gombe metropolitan Local Government Area, in addition to three other LGAs of Akko, Dukku and Yamaltu/Deba. […]

A cholera outbreak was declared in Gombe State over the week by the Ministry of Health, which was reported to have killed four people, leaving other 48 people hospitalised.

The cholera struck six out of 11 political wards of Gombe metropolitan Local Government Area, in addition to three other LGAs of Akko, Dukku and Yamaltu/Deba.

The state’s Commissioner of Health, Dr Habu Dahiru who declared the outbreak, said three wards of Shamaki, Bolari-East and Herwagana in Gombe metropolis and other communities in Akko, Yamaltu/Deba and Dukku LGAs are the areas worst hit by the disease.

Investigation by North East Trust have revealed that the communities that are worst hit by the outbreak in Gombe metropolis, are in the areas that mostly depended on untreated water from commercial boreholes.

A visit to the affected communities revealed that due to the inability of the State Water Board to provide potable water in most parts of Gombe metropolis, residents heavily rely on commercial boreholes to get water for their domestic use.

Meanwhile, in Dukku LGA which was famous for acute water supply for several years, the rainy season provides the residents with a succor to the difficulties of accessing water, however most of the times the rain water is filthy due to poor sanitation.

Also, in Akko LGA, especially areas near the southern bypass at the outskirt of Gombe metropolis, people mostly rely on shallow boreholes which are cheaper to dug but prone to waterborne diseases.

Some residents of the affected areas told our correspondent that for the past six months there was no water from the water board, leaving them at the mercy of commercial boreholes.

Musa Ibrahim, a resident of Alkahira quarters said before the onset of the rainy season, they were buying 10 kegs  at exorbitant price of N200 daily. “So, the rainy season is a blessing to us as we no longer buy the water.”

Addressing newsmen on Tuesday, Dr Habu Dahiru declared that cholera outbreak recorded in parts of the state has claimed four lives and left 48 others hospitalised.

“I will like to remind the general public that cholera can be prevented by use of clean water, consumption of hygienically prepared meals, particularly uncooked food.”

According to him, despite the successes recorded in area of treatment, “On August 7, there is an increase in number of cases of diarrhea and vomiting at a Primary Health Center (PHC) in Tudun-Wada area of the metropolis.

He explained that PHC was a designated temporary treatment and rehydration center for cholera in Gombe LGA.