BIG STORY

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Editor

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There has been growing concern as to the growing nature of deadly cholera outbreak in Gusau the capital city of Zamfara state.

The outbreak which came to prominence almost two weeks now resulted in the death of over two dozen of people including women and children.

Most of the areas affected by the outbreak include Dogon Dabino down to Birnin Ruwa and part of Zawiyya Gusau.

It was believed to have been caused by public use of contaminated water both from the tap and local Wells.

Muhammad Bala a household said he has lost two blood children and three other relations to the outbreak even as children of many of his neighbors are currently on admission at the Shagari Clinic in Gusau.

He added that, about eight different families who are his immediate neighbors became influenced with the cholera outbreak and so far while many have been admitted, some scores of people have died of the epidemic.

Another female household Aishat Aminu said she lost her grandmother to the outbreak on Thursday and that a son of her elder sister who was with the family for the three days of condolence was also infected, and he eventually died.

“As I speak with you about six people were rushed to Shagari Clinic this morning of Sunday and the people of Dogon Dabino down to Birnin Ruwa are becoming jittery about the cholera epidemic which is costing lives in Gusau” a resident of Dogon Dabino stated.

Another household Malam Garba Bala stated that, “government need to be very apt and take the most decisive measures to secure the people because if the epidemic is not control it will surely cost serious problem for the people.

THE CARRYING CAPACITY/CONDITION OF SHAGARI CLINIC

As at now Shagari Clinic is becoming incapacitated especially with the number of patients admitted for medical consideration.

One of the staff of the clinic who craved for anonymity explained that, the number of patients has outweighed the capacity of the clinical staff.

He said there is the urgent need for the government and indeed international donor agencies to take the most appropriate steps of deploying more capable hands to support the handling of these patients.

A household Malam Kabir Bala who had two of his children brought to Shagari clinic on Sunday morning said there was no enough bed space to admit them and that the space provided is not enough to cater for teeming number of cholera patients brought on admission.

He called on the government to take decisive measures in providing additional isolation centers in Gusau and other hospitals across the local government headquarters so that adequate level of preparedness can be made.

He also called on the government to make provision for drugs and medicament as he said “parents with the current spate of difficulties in getting cash are having their children and relations lossing their lives due to non-availability of simple drugs and medicament.

ZMSG IS MOVING IN FULL FORCE TO CURTAIL THE CHOLERA EPIDEMIC

Zamfara State Commissioner for Health Aliyu Abubakar Tsafe said, the state government has received information regarding the cholera outbreak and that, it has developed strategies to get on top of the situation.

He said as early as possible on Sunday, the Ministry has deployed technical personnel who conducted surveillance and also take the mapping/sampling of most of the areas infected by the outbreak.

He noted that they had since reported back to the ministry and measures have been put in place by the ministry in consultation with the state Acting Governor.

He assured that the ministry will ensure that all the drugs and medicament required at the Shagari Clinic where most of the patients are admitted would essentially be provided.

He also said, the Ministry will work hand in hand with all the health facilities around the state as a way of getting prepared for the eventualities.