The death toll from the current cholera outbreak in some parts of the country has been put at 74.
According to the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, about 373 Nigerians have been affected.
Plateau, Sokoto, Zamfara and Lagos States had recorded cases of cholera outbreak in the last one week.
Zamfara State has recorded 1,117 cases with official confirmation of deaths in two weeks.
The minister, who was disturbed by the outbreak urged Nigerians to take the issue of sanitation very seriously.
Chukwu spoke on Monday during the “2013 Physicians Week” with the theme: “Federalism and Nigeria’s Healthcare system-An appraisal of the Primary and Secondary healthcare systems.”
The programme was organized by the Nigerian Medical Association.
He said, “As at yesterday (Sunday), 373 Nigerians have been recorded having suffered cholera in this current outbreak out of which we have lost 74. We still got a report just yesterday (Sunday) that few of the cases can do with antibiotic.
“Each Nigerian must commit to certain things; can we stop going into the bush to defecate? Open defecation is not neglected but every Nigerian must know that it is unhealthy. Even market people are paying N5:00 to use toilets in the market place and that is what they do outside this country.
“My role as the Minister of Health is limited; as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I will continue to advocate that every sector keys into what each sector should do and individuals should preach to every Nigerian to do proper things in terms of sanitation.”
He pointed that, what was important is that Nigerians must do everything to stop open defecation and have access to clean water.
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