FG initiates intervention to support Ogun on lead exposure assessment

The Federal Ministry of Health has initiated an intervention to support Ogun State in assessing reported cases of lead exposure linked to battery recycling activities in Ogijo, Sagamu Local Government Area.

An intervention team from the ministry has commenced a joint assessment with the Ogun State Government following concerns over possible public health risks in the affected community.

Leader of the delegation, Mrs Fumilayo Adams, disclosed this during a meeting with the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, in Abeokuta, ahead of a field visit to the affected area.

Adams said the visit was aimed at gathering facts and supporting the state in mounting a coordinated and evidence-based response to the reported exposure.

According to her, the team will conduct a rapid risk assessment to identify potential sources of lead exposure and determine the level of community vulnerability.

She added that the exercise would also assess the readiness of priority health facilities to manage suspected cases.

“We will begin with stakeholder and facility mapping to guide our field deployment. The exercise will involve site walk-throughs, community and household interviews, as well as stakeholder engagement,” Adams said.

She further explained that four complementary approaches would be adopted, including environmental walk-throughs, health facility readiness checks, household and community interviews, and structured stakeholder engagements.

In her response, the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Coker, expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Health for its prompt intervention, noting that the state had already activated internal response mechanisms to safeguard residents and ensure accurate reporting.

“We must be methodical in all our actions and strictly adhere to national guidelines whenever people are being tested,” she said.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Kayode Oladehinde, assured the federal delegation of the state’s full cooperation, pledging the provision of necessary manpower to support the assessment exercise.