Japan Donates $1.7M for Lagos Cholera Response Efforts

Japan has donated $1.7 million in medical supplies to Lagos State to enhance its cholera response capabilities. The announcement was made by Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, on a Friday.

The intervention aims to prevent a recurrence of cholera outbreaks in 2024, which have severely affected communities across the state. Dr. Ismail Abudu Salam, Director of Epidemiology and Biosecurity at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, noted that the Japanese support is timely and will aid in cholera treatment and management of diarrheal diseases.

The funding will support three complementary cholera-related projects in Nigeria, implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services and the World Health Organization. Lagos has experienced significant cholera outbreaks in 2024, exacerbated by unsafe water and poor sanitation.

Hazel Natukunda, head of the United Nations Office for Project Services in Nigeria, emphasized the importance of international collaboration in strengthening health systems to protect vulnerable communities.