The Sokoto State government said it has recorded 25 deaths as a result of a Gastroenteritis outbreak, otherwise known as Cholera, in three local government areas of the state. The state’s Commissioner of Health, Hajiya Asabe Balarabe, who disclosed this to newsmen, added that the state is currently treating 15 victims from Sokoto North, Silame, and Kware local government areas.
According to her, the 15 active cases were diagnosed through laboratory tests based on culture and sensitivity. The commissioner further explained, ”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.”
Balarabe commended the turnout of women, especially pregnant women, seeking medical consultations and pregnancy tests at various health institutions in the state.
“Patients often face numerous problems in public health institutions, such as atrocities, loud disturbances, lack of water, and power outages,” she stated.
She, however, commended the governor for recruiting 864 nurses and midwives to address the issue of shortage of manpower in state public health facilities.
The commissioner added that plans are in the pipeline to recruit more supporting staff to replace the dead and those who retired without replacement. Meanwhile, Bazza and Gidadawa communities in Sokoto Metropolis are reportedly recording escalating cases of Cholera/Diarrhea outbreak.
