The Secretary of State for Public Health was in Bamenda on June 7 to sensitise the public.

Efforts to keep the killer cholera disease at bay in the North West region have been commended by the Secretary of State for Public Health, Alim Hayatou. He acknowledged the hard work of medical staff and stakeholders in Bamenda on June 7 while launching the sensitisation the cholera prevention campaign in the region.

Minister Alim Hayatou lauded the various actors in the fight for a job well done and called on them to redouble their efforts so that cholera will be a thing of the past. He did not hesitate to urge the public to observe simple hygiene rules and report any suspected case as the treatment is free. He said the government is doing its best to reinforce all the health districts and personnel nationwide to keep the cholera epidemic at bay. He equally handed over sensitisation material to the regional committee for the fight against cholera.

While presenting the situation of cholera outbreak since 2010, the North West Regional Delegate for Public Health, Dr Victor Ndiforchu said enough sensitisation has been carried out in the region on the dangers of the disease. He disclosed that from December 2010 to July 2011, the region recorded143 cases with nine deaths. "Since August 2011, no case has been recorded," he said.

Bafut Subdivision was the hardest hit with 25 cases and seven deaths. Some health personnel have been trained to manage any emergency while some drugs were equally distributed. Furthermore, an ambulance to rush suspected cases to the hospital was also made available. The Regional Delegate however noted that it was not a bed of roses as traditional practices and eating habits still give room for the spread of the disease. He admitted that some of the promoters of these practices were beginning to see the consequences and are gradually desisting from them.

On his part, the Governor of the North West Region, Adolphe Lele L'Afrique said the fight against cholera concerns everyone and appreciated the contributions of some civil society organisations.