Nigeria is to hold a crucial meeting with its neighbours, next month, in Abuja, over the cholera epidemic which has killed at least 350 persons in Nigeria alone.

The meeting, to be held on October 17 and 18, with Niger, Chad, Cameroun and Benin Republic, is expected to discuss the way out, as well other issues including polio, yellow fever, dengue fever, river blindness, neglected tropical diseases and movement of counterfeit drugs.

According to a statement from the Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, on Thursday in Abuja, the meeting is also expected to involve development partners such as WHO, UNICEF, World Bank and other regional groups.

Adopting common policies regarding disease surveillance, development of follow-up mechanisms to ensure implementation of jointly agreed action and activities, will be of tremendous benefit to the countries, the statement stated.

“The expected outcomes of the meeting include a concrete policy and implementation framework on the trans-border of diseases, including surveillance and monitoring,’’ it noted.

It explained that the meeting was President Goodluck Jonathan’s directive to the health minister to meet with his counterparts in the neighboring countries  to address the issue of trans- border transfer of polio and other diseases during Bill Gates’ visit to Nigeria three months ago.

Gates is funding development activities worldwide through his foundation.