Cholera: Bayelsa debunks reports of deaths in Nembe communities

The Bayelsa State Commissioner of Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, has debunked reports of the deaths of some persons from the Cholera outbreak in Nembe communities in Nembe Local Government Area of the State.

An earlier report from the Chairman of Bayelsa Nongovernmental Forum (BANGOF), Taritein Boco, said information gathered from the health workers was that there was a cholera outbreak identified as early as December 10, 2024.

The NGO reported that 15 deaths have been recorded in Nembe (Ogbolomabiri and Bassambiri), Nembe Creek, and some nearby communities with many more still on admission to the various facilities in Nembe.

The report stated the case was reported to the state response team (Ministry of Health) by the heath authorities as soon as the first case was identified, and some response supplies were sent twice to support the facilities.

But the Health Commissioner, who led a delegation for on-the-spot assessment, said no deaths have been caused by cholera or other diseases though some few persons were suffering from gastrointestinal illnesses and are been taken care of by the State Government.

Doubara Fafi, Media Assistant to the Health Commissioner, said upon reaching the health centers in Ogbolomabiri, Prof. Brisibe immediately took action, conducting an on-the-spot assessment of the situation and evaluating the level of panic regarding gastrointestinal ailments.

He said they provided care to patients suffering from gastrointestinal illnesses and promptly referred all patients with such illnesses from the health centers to the General Hospital in Ogbolomabiri, where they received treatment for free.

The commissioners also visited the Opu-Nembe Primary Health Centre and Cottage Hospital to ensure that all patients with gastrointestinal issues received free treatment, including the provision of necessary medical supplies.

“Solutions to health problems are sometimes multidisciplinary, and the visit was a clear example of partnership in working together as the Ministry of Health, Environment, and Water Resources collaborated with the State government’s role to safeguard the lives and properties of the people of Nembe,” Brisibe stated.

“They educated the public (youths and chiefs) to work, institute frameworks, and were able to see patients in the various health facilities.

“The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Brisibe, confirmed that no deaths have been caused by cholera or other diseases, and besides that, even the patients in the facilities are in good spirits.”

Brisibe stated that they have established a linkage between primary health care and secondary care aimed at strengthening the health system.