The fight against cholera in Lagos has received a significant boost as the Government of Japan formally handed over emergency medical supplies and preparedness commodities to the Lagos State Government.
Eko Hot News reports that the project handover ceremony, tagged Emergency Support for Cholera Response and Preparedness, took place at the Lagos State Medical Store in Oshodi.
The event brought together senior government officials, development partners, and public health experts, highlighting renewed international collaboration in safeguarding public health in Nigeria’s commercial capital. The intervention, valued at $1.7 million, is aimed at strengthening disease response systems and preventing a recurrence of the devastating 2024 cholera outbreak.
Representing the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Director of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health, Dr. Ismail Abudus-Salam, described the intervention as both timely and impactful. He noted that the donated consumables would not only support cholera treatment but also enhance the management of other diarrhoeal diseases.
Dr. Abudus-Salam recalled that contaminated food and water sources were identified as key drivers of the 2024 outbreak. He stressed that ongoing training and capacity-building initiatives targeting food vendors, water suppliers, and waste workers are central to reducing health risks, particularly in flood-prone communities across Lagos.
He further commended Japan for complementing Lagos State’s existing health interventions, referencing a related initiative implemented through the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The project strengthened emergency response capacity among informal sector operators in high-risk areas.
According to him, the partnership reflects a long-term commitment to health security. He also acknowledged the leadership of Akin Abayomi and the Lagos State Ministry of Health for sustaining strategic collaborations that protect residents.
In his keynote address, Japan’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Nigeria, Suzuki Hideo, said the handover symbolises Japan’s unwavering solidarity with Nigeria in combating cholera. He emphasised that preventable deaths must not be tolerated and that every life remains precious.
Ambassador Hideo revealed that Japan is currently funding three complementary cholera-related projects in Nigeria, implemented through United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNIDO. The combined contribution totals $1.725 million, aimed at strengthening emergency response systems, supplying critical medical commodities, and enhancing preventive capacity among frontline workers.
The Japan cholera support Lagos initiative marks another milestone in global health cooperation, reinforcing Lagos State’s preparedness framework against infectious disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.
