From Our Correspondent
Niger State government has announced the death of 16 persons, following a cholera outbreak.
Disclosing the figure at a meeting of the state Taskforce Committee on Primary Healthcare and Immunisation, chaired by the Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba, in Minna, the Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr Dangana Ibrahim also disclosed that 165 cholera cases had been recorded with nine percent mortality rate.
According to the commissioner, 145 patients have been successfully treated and discharged.
“To prevent further spread, contingency measures have been implemented, including the distribution of essential medical supplies to the affected areas and health facilities,” Ibrahim said.
He added that the affected local government areas are Paiko, Gurara, Suleja, Bosso and Katcha, and the state’s disease surveillance system has been activated.
According to him, active contact tracing and case management are ongoing in the affected communities.
He said the state had intensified sensitisation and awareness campaigns focused on personal and environmental hygiene to curb further outbreak.
Ibrahim also explained that the state Taskforce Committee on Primary Healthcare and Immunisation was designed to promote inter-sectoral collaboration for effective primary healthcare delivery.
The committee includes members from various ministries, departments, agencies, and partners such as WHO, UNICEF and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency.
In its inaugural meeting, the committee reviewed the challenges, identified weaknesses and discussed areas for improvement, aligning with Governor Umaru Bago’s vision of providing accessible healthcare services.
Ibrahim emphasised that the state government’s ‘New Niger Agenda’ prioritised healthcare, focusing on ensuring the health of residents, safe childbirth and immunisation against diseases.
He expressed confidence that with effective implementation, the state would be able to mitigate the spread of diseases and provide quality healthcare services.
