Cholera hits Sokoto, 25 killed, 15 hospitalised

Around 25 persons have been confirmed dead as a result of a Gastroenteritis outbreak, otherwise known as Cholera, in three Local Government Areas of the state out of a total of 1,160 cases recorded in the state.

The state Commissioner of Health, Asabe Balarabe, disclosed this on Monday while speaking to newsmen.

The commissioner further explained that the state is treating 15 other victims of the outbreak on active cases from Sokoto North, Silame and Kware local government areas.

The 15 active cases, according to the commissioner, were diagnosed through laboratory tests based on culture and sensitivity and confirmed to be active cases of the cholera outbreak.

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 backwards for the past eight years.

She expressed hope that Governor Ahmad Aliyu, in his magnanimity, see to 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.

The 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.