… Death toll now 16
Few weeks after the Cholera outbreak in parts of the country, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has disclosed that Niger state has so far recorded 150 positive cholera cases.
This is as the UNICEF confirmed that in total, 16 deaths have been recorded since the cholera outbreak.
Speaking after she led a team to pay an advocacy visit on the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Farouq Bahago at his palace in Minna, the Chief of Kaduna Field Office, UNICEF, Dr. Gerida Birukila said that, 451 persons were isolated and those confirmed positive treated and discharged are 150.
Represented by UNICEF Health Specialist, Dr. Ahmed Tsofo, the Chief also solicited for the Emir’s support to curtail various diseases ravaging the state.
It should be recalled that 13 deaths were recorded at the outbreak of cholera epidemic in Niger State, three more deaths were however recorded bringing the figure to 16. Also, cases of infection was 409 which has now risen to over 451 cases.
According to the Chief, “we have recorded more than 451 cases of cholera infections out of it, over 150 were confirmed positive through rapid diagnostic testing.
“So far, we have now recorded 16 deaths and we brought it to the Emir’s information. We have also updated him on the support we are providing and the collaboration between UNICEF and government to contain the outbreak and to prevent further spread”.
Among other issues highlighted during the visit included polio and measles diseases as well as the low rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the state.
“We came to advocate for his support in person and the support of the traditional institution over the ongoing health and Public health interventions that we have been supporting in Niger.
“As you must have heard from the discussions we had with the Emir we advocated for his support in the next coming in-between rounds activity for polio eradication campaign; we advocated also for the ongoing cholera outbreak in the state.
“We advocated for his support also toward the introduction of the measles and rubella vaccines which is coming up in October this year”.
The UNICEF Health specialist noted that these diseases could be eradicated with the collaboration of government and the traditional institutions.
In his response, Emir of Minna, Alhaji Farouq Bahago assured the UNICEF of the Emirate’s support and prayed that Allah would enable them achieve the aim of eradicating the diseases in tue state.
Accordingly, he said “we will continue to talk and work in the interest of our people. We will support your efforts and complement your activities in all the four areas of intervention”.