By Dare Folarin
The title of this piece is excerpted from a classic song done by the inimitable and irrepressible legend, Pa Ebenezer Obey, in the early 70s when there was a cholera epidemic in the country that killed a lot of people. The song majorly a prayer goes thus "... mona owo mi soke cholera mama mu mi...igbe gbururuu, eebi jaburata..."
If you do not remember the song you must still have the mark around your upper arm left by the big machine that administered the cholera vaccination that we all took then. It was very painful and left a sore that took days to tend with some festering. It was called "nomba" then. Those who knew the size of the first set of computers we had then and the micro computers, palmtops and phones we have now will relate with the experience and appreciate the gaps that technology had bridged in our lives.
The news that cholera had struck in 31 states and the fact that our twin brother state, Lagos, is the epicentre of the epidemic necessitated the discussion on Rockcity FM's "Citizens Forum" this morning.
Our guest was the erudite and articulate Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Ogun, Dr. Kunle Ashimi, who gave a 360 degrees exposition on cholera which he described as a social disease. He said the bacteria which multiplies rapidly can kill within hours if not properly treated.
He averred that cholera was very easy to prevent but very difficult to treat as one patient can use up all the fluids in a hospital facility within minutes. He said cholera patients pass watery stools called "rice water" and will also be vomiting at the same time. Hence, Yoruba call it "oni igba meji" (two calabashes). He said that rain water and house flies help in spreading the disease.
He commended Ogun State Government for its proactivity of designating some hospitals as special centres and stationing ambulances on standby to pick up any cholera patient anywhere in the state with the government taking up full responsibility for the treatment cost to curtail the spread.
Dr. Ashimi called for the construction of public toilets in all markets and garages in Ogun State. My co- presenter, Femi Osinusi, then informed that Ogun Commissioner for Environment said few weeks ago that construction of public toilets had started from Kara in Mowe and will cascade to other areas in the state. Dr. Ashimi advised that government should facilitate by providing a prototype and steer clear of actual construction of the public toilets.
The Commissioner then sent a message saying that government only provided the land and prototype which the various markets and parks are building. Dr. Ashimi commended the Commissioner for his prompt response and promised to visit the commissioner for a golden handshake. Many callers also commended the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment.
Dr. Ashimi condemned the entitlement mentality often displayed by citizens like not wanting to pay for refuse collection and charged all to be responsible citizens. He said all hands must be on deck to tackle the epidemic and charged schools to monitor food vendors and ensure hygienic practices and provision of potable water.
To keep cholera at bay, Dr. Ashimi recommended frequent hand washing, boiling and filtering of water, consumption of hot or warm food and thorough washing of fruits and vegetables as well as thorough cooking of food items. He also advised against consumption of juices like zobo, kunnu and all sorts of drinks.
In all, the role of the media in sensitising the citizenry through enlightenment is being played to the hilt by Rockcity FM and the quantum of ideas being daily generated should be documented for posterity.
Viva Rockcity FM, Abeokuta! Let us take heed!!!
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