Lokomasama braces up to combat cholera in the chiefdom
Port Loko July 18 (SLENA) – The people of Lokomasama in the Port Loko District are making frantic efforts to combat any outbreak of cholera in the chiefdom.
At a recent meeting of stakeholders organized by the Action for Community Development (AFCOD) at Kalangba in the Lokomasama chiefdom, it was generally agreed that cleanliness is next to godliness and that it was better to change the notion that Lokomasama is one of the gateways of cholera into Sierra Leone.
As outlined by the Section Chief of Gbainty Wallah, Pa Alimamy N’gballah who deputized the Paramount Chief, Bai Marrow N’gbathor, many lives are lost eaht time there is an outbreak of the disease in the chiefdom.
Several other speakers including elders of Kalangba, women leaders and the AFCOD Project Manager, Abdul K. Bangura attributed the epidemic to the lack of safe drinking water and toilet facility.
It was further disclosed that residents in these localities get water from streams, ponds and unprotected water wells and that they defecate in open fields, at the back of their offices and in nearby bushes.
According to the Health Superintendent for Kambia and Port Loko Districts, John Ngoway, the current state of insanitation in the chiefdom serves as a breeding ground for health hazards and a setback for development
He spoke of the Public Ordinance of 1964 which emphasizes the need for every household to own a toilet but lamented that the central government does not have what it takes to provide all the amenities required by the citizenry. “Which is why some non-governmental organizations such as AFCOD with the support of UNICEF have come on board to effect the desired change” the Health Supt. Said
The keynote speaker at the meeting, AFCOD Programme Director, James Koroma expressed delight over the willingness of the Lokomasama people to cooperate with the various stakeholders for AFCOD to achieve its objective of ridding the chiefdom of cholera.
He said he was optimistic that Lokomasama will be free from cholera outbreak sooner than later if only the inhabitants continue to abide by the principle of good hygiene.
HB/P’Loko/SLENA
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2013, https:. All rights reserved.
