PRUWASSA in Collaboration with WHO Organizes Cholera Sensitization Training Worship for WASH Directors, others across 17LGAs

The General Manager Plateau State Rural Water Supply & Sanitation Agency (PRUWASSA) Engineer Peter Kasam has urged participants at One-Day Plateau State Cholera Sensitization Training Workshop to take the training as a challenge to ensure that they step down whatever will be learnt to their various LGA and Communities making sure all and sundry are sensitised to use safe water and imbibe healthy living culture through effective hand washing at critical times.

This charge came during the training which was organized in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), held on Wednesday 29th December 2021 at Elie International Event Centre, Jos.

The event saw in attendance WASH Directors and their Water officers from the 17 LGAs of Plateau State. They are being trained to prevent the spread and transmission of Cholera on the Plateau.

In his speech at the event, the General Manager PRUWASSA, Engineer Peter Kassam noted that Cholera has remained a global threat to public health and its in an indicator of inequity and lack of social development. He stressed that Researchers has shown that annually, over 1.3 to 4 Million cases of Cholera are being recorded with between 21,000 to 150,000 deaths worldwide due to the pandemic.

He pointed out that Plateau state first recorded the first of Cholera outbreak in Jos North LGA in May 2021, but as of today there are over 80 Communities in 16 LGAs that have recorded cases of this disease outbreak with 38 deaths.

According to the GM, it is public knowledge that the provision of Safe Water and Sanitation is critical  to prevent and control the transmission of Cholera and other water borne diseases. Therefore to succeed in combating this menace of Cholera, Water Sanitation and Hygiene ( WASH) must take the lead. This according to him was reason that informed the invitation of specific Stakeholders (WASH Directors).

The Engineer Peter Kassam used the opportunity to specially thank World Health Organisation (WHO) whose task is to ensure the world has zero tolerance for all diseases, deemed it fit to lend their technical support to Plateau State, collaborating with Ministery of Health and other critical MDAs like PRUWASSA to rid Cholera out of the State.

The GM PRUWASSA also noted the the pivotal support UNICEF whom he described as a household name in Plateau State. According to him, UNICEF has been partnering with PRUWASSA to fight Cholera and other water borne diseases through Trainings and Supply of water testing kits.

He also thanked the Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency Governor Simon Bako Lalong for providing the enabling environment through sustenance of peace, there by giving confidence to the External Support Partners to work in Plateau State.