The Government of Japan has contributed emergency medical supplies valued at approximately $1.7 million to the Lagos State Government to enhance cholera preparedness and prevent a recurrence of the deadly 2024 outbreak.

The donation was officially handed over during a Project Handover Ceremony for Emergency Support on Cholera Response and Preparedness at the Lagos State Medical Store in Oshodi.

Representing the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Director of Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health, Dr. Ismail Abudus-Salam, described the support as both timely and critical. He noted that the supplies would significantly boost the state’s capacity to manage cholera and other diarrheal diseases.

Abudus-Salam highlighted that contaminated food and water were major contributors to the 2024 cholera outbreak. He added that the state has since intensified training and sensitization efforts for food vendors, water suppliers, and waste handlers, especially in flood-prone communities.

He commended Japan for reinforcing Lagos’ public health initiatives and expanding emergency response capacity in vulnerable areas, describing the collaboration as part of a growing and sustained partnership. “This partnership is not ending here; it is only beginning,” he said, while emphasizing the state government’s commitment to international cooperation in safeguarding public health.

Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Suzuki Hideo, stated that the donation reflects Japan’s solidarity with Nigeria in preventing avoidable cholera-related deaths. He noted that Japan is supporting three cholera-focused interventions in Nigeria through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), World Health Organization (WHO), and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), with a combined contribution of about $1.725 million.

According to Ambassador Hideo, Nigeria recorded over 77,000 cholera cases across 31 states in 2024, with Lagos accounting for more than 20 percent of infections, making prevention efforts in the state central to national disease control.

Also speaking at the event, Acting Head of Office, Nigeria/West Africa, UNOPS, Hazel Natukunda, explained that the project enabled the procurement of essential medicines, diagnostic tools, water, sanitation and hygiene materials, and personal protective equipment to strengthen surveillance, case management, and infection prevention in health facilities. “These items go beyond supplies; they are tools for preparedness and protection,” she said.

The Director of Pharmaceutical Services at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Pharm. Olawale Poluyi, assured that the donated materials would be properly stored and transparently distributed to general hospitals and primary healthcare centres, prioritizing high-burden local government areas such as Eti-Osa, Lagos Island, Ikorodu, Kosofe, and Lagos Mainland.

Health officials expressed confidence that sustained public education, improved sanitation, and strengthened partnerships would enable Lagos to detect outbreaks early, respond swiftly, and ultimately achieve zero cholera-related deaths across the state.