Death toll hits 489
From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Chairman of the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee on Primary Health Care, who is also the Shehu of Bama, Alhaji Kyari Ibn El-Kanemi, disclosed, yesterday, that Cerebrospinal meningitis, (CSM) has, so far, affected 16 states in the North.
The emir promised, however, that traditional rulers will not relent in creating massive awareness to curtail further spread of the disease.
Meanwhile, Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole has said meningitis has, so far, killed at least 489 people.
Adewole said 4,637 cases of cerebrospinal meningitis were recorded across the country by Monday. The ministry had announced 428 deaths last Friday.
Also, Nigerian Representative of the Department for Intetnational Department (DFID), Dr. Salma Kolo said outbreak of meningitis, particularly in the North, was indication that the region’s health system is weak.
Dr. Kolo spoke at the emergency meeting of the committee, which had some North West governors in attendance.
The DFID boss explained that “the outbreak of meningitis is an indication of weak health system in Northern Nigeria. And I want to use this opportunity to plead with the leaders, especially the governors, to continue to put in more efforts in strengthening the health system, especially primary healthcare.
“Unfortunately, we in Northern Nigeria are not privileged, the vulnerable groups are mainly women and children who are jobless, have no access to funds.
Therefore, their care must be provided for free of charge, 100 per cent free of charge and that is possible. It has been demonstrated in Nigeria and we are beginning to see the outcome of such commitment through the work that we do with the state governments.
“The government of United Kingdom is concerned about the outbreak of meningitis in Northern Nigeria, just as it is concerned about the case of maternal and new born mortality. It sympathises with the government and people of Northern Nigeria and people of Nigeria in general.
“The United Kingdom government had immediately sent its contribution of 800,000 dozes of meningitis vaccines through WHO and that has been acknowledged and it is already being utilised in the country.”
This was even as Sokoto Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal described meningitis as a dangerous epidemic where over 1,000 cases have been recorded in his state.
Also, his Kaduna State counterpart, Mallam Nasir El-rufai, who spoke at the event, said governors in the region are sad at the number of meningitis’ deaths.
“It’s a matter of great sadness for us governors to see the number of deaths recorded in our states. The North West has been battling with meningitis epidemic in the last few months. It has killed many of our people because it is a new strain; Type C that our people are not used to.
“The action taken by stakeholders has slowed down the rate of spread of the disease: vaccination, awareness and drugs. Our traditional leaders have also been of gear help.”
Meningitis has spread across 19 states in the country, with 3,959 suspected cases reported and 438 deaths recorded as at April 5, 2017. The Northern states have been worst hit by the epidemic as Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto, account for 93 percent of the cases.
Tambuwal said “meningitis is a very dangerous epidemic that has been ravaging many parts of the country. Collaborations between the governors and traditional leaders is vital. We had cases in seven local governments areas of Sokoto state, Bodinga, Dange Shuni, Wammako, Kafin Rafa, Gadabawa .. .with over 1, 000 cases of the disease recorded, we were on the threshold of an epidemic.” He said for the state to address the disease and stop it from becoming an epidemic, “an awareness campaign was set up, ventilation of living areas, decongestion of where out children are living.
“We received over 20, 000 doses of vaccine from the federal ministry of health, we are expecting over 800, 000 doses of the vaccine though our target is 2 million vaccine doses for most of our children between the ages of two and 29. ..”
WHO Country Representative, Dr. Wondimagegnehu Alemu said “the current type C is a new one. It has never been known to cause this magnitude of outbreak, it used to be only sporadic cases. So, that has left us with no option than to rely on few of the tools we have including few number vaccines that are available at global level.”
through the strategy contingency plan. The government has applied and has received and judiciously distributed to the affected places and the vaccination has taken place. More is coming on the way.
UNICEF County Representative, Dr. Muhammed Fall said, “Meningitis is a highly communicable disease, but it can be easily controlled through very simple improved hygiene measures, understanding the mode of transmission, early health seeking behaviour can help very much to roll back this disease.
I need to call attention of your excellences to the situation in the North East. We know that, in the North East, children are already facing the burden of malnutrition. They are already facing all the consequences of the devastating conflicts. Now, letting meningitis penetrate this area would increase the burden and this is why I want to take this opportunity to appeal to the Federal Minister Health, to appeal to all the partners for special attention to be paid to avoiding this disease get and spread into the North East”.