Out of 1,160 cases reported in the state, at least 25 people have been confirmed dead as a result of a gastroenteritis outbreak, also known as cholera, in three local government areas.
Asabe Balarabe, the state’s health commissioner, revealed this to reporters on Monday.
The commissioner went on to say that the state is currently treating 15 additional outbreak victims from the local government areas of Sokoto North, Silame, and Kware.
The commissioner stated that the 15 active cases were identified as active cases of the cholera outbreak based on laboratory tests based on sensitivity and culture.
The commissioner added, “Of the 1,160 individuals impacted 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 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She outlined the problems that the health sector has been facing for the past eight years, such as outdated infrastructure and insufficient funding.
She conveyed the hope that Governor Ahmad Aliyu, in his generosity, would ensure the state’s health sector was revitalized.
“Patients often face numerous problems in public health institutions, such as atrocities, loud disturbances, lack of water, and power outages.”
To solve the issue of a manpower 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.