Sokoto Govt confirms 5 malaria related deaths in 1 month---Perm Sec
Sokoto State Government says only five malaria related deaths were recorded at the Kofar-Kade Primary Health Centre, in Sokoto North Local Government in the last one month.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Alhaji Almustapha Othman, gave the clarification in Sokoto on Saturday.
Othman spoke to newsmen shortly after he led other officials of the ministry and their counterparts from the Health Department of the Local Government on an on-the-spot assessment visits to Kofar Kade Primary Health Centre.
He stated that, no fewer than three hundred and ninety patients were admitted at the facility during the period under review.
Othman said:'' Out of these cases, only one hundred and ninety cases were confirmed to be malaria.
'' Out of these malaria cases, only five deaths were recorded, contrary to the 48 deaths earlier reported by some media outfits.
'' The rest of the patients admitted at the centre were due to other diseases.
'' We have taken some blood samples which are currently being analysed at the medical laboratories of the Specialist Hospital, Sokoto and the Epidemiological unit.''
Othman further said that, the State Government had also purchased assorted drugs and medicament worth about N 10million.
The Permanent Secretary further stated that, the drugs were distributed to all health facilities across the state.
According to him,the drugs were being dispensed free to all categories of patients across the state.
'' The ministry had partnered the Ministry of Environment, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency and evacuated the heaps of refuse in the affected areas.
'' The Ministry had also fumigated the areas against mosquitoes, with a view to keep malaria at bay.
'' We have also intensified social mobilization campaigns on the need for the people to ensure personal and environmental hygiene,''Othman, added.
MOH sokoto ICT Unit.
22-October-2016