The Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, has urged school management in the state to adhere to precautionary measures to avoid the spread of cholera disease, News About Nigeria reports.
He made this call in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.
Alli-Balogun said that the state government will apply infection prevention and control (IPC) measures in schools in an effort to prevent and control the spread of communicable diseases.
According to him, the goal of IPC in schools is to minimise the risk of infectious disease outbreaks in the school community and ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for students, teachers, and other members of staff.
He, therefore, urged all stakeholders, including parents and teachers, among others, to adhere strictly to precautionary measures, including hand washing with soap and water before meals and after using the restroom, cleaning and disinfection, health screening and communication, daily health checks, physical distancing, and other measures that will prevent the spread of the disease.
“The goal of IPC in schools is to minimise the risk of infectious disease outbreaks in the school community and ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for students, teachers, and other members of staff.
“As primary and secondary schools in Lagos resume tomorrow from the midterm and Sallah break, the state government urges parents, guardians, and school authorities to adhere to precautionary measures.
“These include hand hygiene—handwashing with soap and water before meals and after using the restroom—cleaning and disinfection, health screening and communication, daily health checks, and physical distancing.”
“Ensure your child’s vaccinations are up-to-date and encourage a balanced diet to boost your child’s immune system,” he stated.
He further called on the management of schools to ensure that food handlers would observe strict hygiene practices to prevent contamination and the spread of diseases, and urged that schools call hotlines in the event of any suspected cholera cases or other health emergencies.
The hotlines, according to him, are: 08023169485, 08137412348, and 767/112.
