The Government of Japan has donated emergency medical supplies worth approximately $1.7 million to the Lagos State Government to boost cholera preparedness and avert a repeat of the deadly 2024 outbreak.

The donation was officially handed over at 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 said the supplies would significantly strengthen the state’s capacity to manage cholera and other diarrhea diseases.

Abudus-Salam recalled that contaminated food and water were key drivers of the 2024 cholera outbreak, adding that the state has since intensified training and sensitization for food vendors, water suppliers and waste handlers, particularly in flood-prone communities.

He commended Japan for reinforcing Lagos’ public health efforts and expanding its emergency response capacity in vulnerable areas, noting that the collaboration reflects a growing and sustained partnership.

“This partnership is not ending here; it is only beginning,” he said, while acknowledging the state government’s commitment to international cooperation in safeguarding public health.

Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Suzuki Hideo, said the donation shows Japan’s solidarity with Nigeria in preventing avoidable cholera-related deaths.

He disclosed that Japan is supporting three cholera-focused interventions in Nigeria through United Nations Office for Project Services, World Health Organization and United Nations Industrial Development Organization, with a combined contribution of about $1.725 million.

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

Also speaking, the Acting Head of Office, Nigeria/West Africa, UNOPS, Hazel Natukunda, said the project facilitated the procurement of essential medicines, diagnostic tools, water, sanitation and hygiene materials, as well as personal protective equipment to enhance surveillance, case management and infection prevention in health facilities.

“These items go beyond supplies; they are tools for preparedness and protection,” she said.

In her remarks, 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, with priority given to 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.