In a bid to combat the recent cholera outbreak in the state, the Oyo State Government has announced its commitment to pay ₦210.2 million as counterpart funds to support the net campaign coming up in May 2025 was also looked into at the meeting.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwasherimi Ajetumobi disclosed this at a press briefing on Tuesday at the Governor’s Office Press Conference Room shortly after the state executive council meeting.
She narrated that a total number of 245 suspected cases of cholera disease was reported between January 1 to October 7, 2024 with 23 cases confirmed while only one death was recorded during the period.
The Commissioner pointed out that the only death recorded was a patient brought from Lagos adding that nine (9) patients, currently on admission at the Infectious Disease Center, Olodo, Ibadan are responding to treatment and will soon be discharged.
She also stated that the United States Agency for International Development USAID, initiative has procured a total of 5,670, 644 nets for the state and the state is expected to pay a counterpart fund of N 210, 243.
Dr Ajetumobi said a request for approval of the sum of N 210, 243 million state counterpart fund for the support of the net campaign coming up in May 2025 was also considered at the state executive council meeting.
She said, “as part of the activities towards the net campaign, there are some things that we need to do and that is the reason for the request.
“The United States Agency for International Development USAID, initiative has procured a total of 5,670, 644 nets for the state and the state is expected to pay a counterpart fund of N 210, 243 .
According to her, the counterpart fund is to cater for the micro planning which includes, logistics, flag off, net campaign , storage and distribution across the 33 Loca governments of the state.
“Just as we know that the burden of severe malaria in oyo State disproportionately affects the vulnerable population particularly children under five, pregnant women and the elderly
“Malaria, if happened during pregnancy, can lead to severe outcomes ranging from severe anaemia, miscarriage, and low birth weight which she said adversely affect maternal and foetal health.” The Commissioner said.
She stated further that the procurement of the nets costs the USAID the sum of N1,726, 214, 195.
While assuring that every household will benefit from the net distribution exercise with consideration for the vulnerable persons particularly children under five years, pregnant women and the elderly.
Residents of the state have however been advised to remain vigilant and cooperate with health officials and continue to apply all necessary preventive and precautionary measures to stop the spread of the dreaded disease.
In another development, the State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun while also addressing newsmen, gave highlights of activities slated for the rest of the year approved by the Executive Council as regards culture and tourism to include; the World Twin Festival coming up on October 12, 2024 at Igbooora , Yemoja festival coming up between October 10 to 27, 2024 at Ile Aperin, Popo Yemoja Ibadan, Omilere Alaragbo festival at Ayegun Oleyo, Odo- ona Elewe in Oluyole Local Government.
He added that the grand finale will take place on November 17, 2024 Oluyole festival at Mapo, December 10, 2024 and the Omituntun Cultural Carnival at either Obafemi Awolowo Stadium or the Lekan Salami stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, on December 10–12, 2024.
Others are; Iyake International festival, Ado- Awaye(November 13 -16 2024), Aso-ofi festival, Iseyin, ( December 4-5, 2024), and the maiden edition of the Ogbomoso Global Cultural Carnival coming up on December 14- 24, 2024 which he described as first of its kind that will bring the sons and daughters of ogbomoso land from across the globe together.