A cholera outbreak in Sokoto State has claimed the lives of at least 25 people across three Local Government Areas, with a total of 1,160 cases reported.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Asabe Balarabe, disclosed this on Monday during a briefing with journalists. She noted that the affected LGAs are Sokoto North, Silame, and Kware.
Currently, 15 active cases are under treatment, with diagnoses confirmed through laboratory tests. The Commissioner emphasized that health authorities are working to contain the outbreak and provide necessary care to the affected individuals.
The commissioner further said, ” Out of 1,160 people that have been affected by the outbreak, 25 of the victims have already succumbed to the disease.
“The stated rescue teams are collaborating with the state government to manage and forestall further spread of the dreaded disease.”
“The 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 disease’s continued spread.
The commissioner appreciated the turnout of women, especially pregnant women, seeking medical consultations and pregnancy tests at various health institutions in the state.
She highlighted challenges facing the health sector, including dilapidated infrastructure and inadequate resources, which have plagued the sector backward for the past eight years.
She expressed hope that Governor Ahmad Aliyu, in his magnanimity, sees the revitalization of the health sector in the state.
“Patients often face numerous problems in public health institutions, such as atrocities, loud disturbances, lack of water, and power outages.”
She commended the governor for recruiting 864 nurses and midwives to address the issue of a shortage of manpower in state public health facilities.
Balarabe, however, stated that plans are in the pipeline to recruit more supporting staff to replace the dead and those who retired without replacement.
Our Correspondent in the state gathered that victims of the escalating cases of Cholera/Diarrhea outbreak were in Bazza and Gidadawa Communities in Sokoto Metropolis, where some died while others are still receiving medication at Primary Health Centres in Bazza and Kofar Rini clinics; all in Waziri B Ward of Sokoto North LGA.
