25 LIVES LOST, 15 HOSPITALIZED AS CHOLERA SPREADS IN SOKOTO STATE
A gastroenteritis outbreak, often known as cholera, has killed at least 25 people in three local government areas of the state, out of 1,160 cases that have been reported overall.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Asabe Balarabe, the state’s commissioner of health, revealed this.
The commissioner went on to say that 15 additional outbreak sufferers from the local government areas of Sokoto North, Silame, and Kware are being treated by the state.
According to the commissioner, the 15 active cases were identified as active cholera outbreak cases by laboratory testing based on sensitivity and culture.
The commissioner further said, ā Out of 1,160 people that have been affected by the outbreak, 25 of the victims have already succumbed to the disease.
āThe stated rescue teams are collaborating with the state government to manage and forestall further spread of the dreaded disease.ā
āThe state government, in its response to the outbreak, directed the immediate purchase and distribution of drugs free of charge to 18 local government areas to curtail the diseaseās continued spread.
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The commissioner expressed gratitude for the number of women, particularly expectant mothers, who visited the state’s health facilities to get prenatal care and medical advice.
She outlined the problems that the health industry has been facing for the previous eight years, such as outdated infrastructure and insufficient funding.
She conveyed the expectation that Governor Ahmad Aliyu, in his generosity, would ensure the state’s health sector was revitalized.
āPatients often face numerous problems in public health institutions, such as atrocities, loud disturbances, lack of water, and power outages.ā
To solve the issue of a staffing shortage in state public health facilities, she praised the governor for hiring 864 nurses and midwives.
But according to Balarabe, there are plans to hire more support staff to replace the deceased and those who retired without a replacement.
Our state correspondent learned that the increasing number of cases of the cholera/diarrhea outbreak occurred in the communities of Bazza and Gidadawa in Sokoto Metropolis. Some of the victims of the outbreak passed away, while others are still being treated at the Kofar Rini clinic and the Primary Health Center in Bazza, both of which are located in the Waziri B Ward of Sokoto North LGA.