In the aftermath of the cholera outbreak in the country, the Almajiri Child Rights Initiative has cautioned that destitute and street children are at high risk of contracting the disease.
ACRI’s Programme Officer, Khadijat Shuaib, in a statement, noted that data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control paint a troubling picture, as 1,141 suspected, and 65 confirmed cholera cases, resulting in 37 deaths, have been reported between January 1 and June 11. She said that given studies by the World Health Organisation that indicate that a single unchecked case of cholera could potentially infect two secondary cases, such exponential growth rate can be even more severe in these high-risk settings.
Shuaib added: “Firstly, the government must prioritise children in public health initiatives as Almajiri children and street-connected youths must be integrated into government healthcare programmes, and cholera response plans. Culturally sensitive outreach campaigns should be developed to educate them about cholera prevention, proper hygiene practices, and access to clean water and sanitation facilities.