No confirmed cases of cholera in Nasarawa – Commissioner

The Nasarawa government says there are no confirmed cases of cholera in the state.

Dr Gaza Gwamna, the state Commissioner for Health, disclosed this at a press conference on Monday, in Akwanga, Akwanga Local Government Area of the state.

Gwamna, however, said that 29 suspected cases of cholera were recorded in two out of the 13 local government areas of the state.

He said that 19 suspected cases were recorded in Kokona and 10 in Nassarawa-Eggon Local Government Areas with one mortality.

“The cases at the moment are still suspected and even the person that died in Nassarawa-Eggon was not confirmed, but treated as a suspected case before his death,” he said.

Gwamna said that the suspected cases were undergoing medical checks to ascertain their status.

The commissioner noted that given the outbreak of cholera in some states, the ministry had taken precautionary measures against any outbreak.

According to him, cholera outbreaks usually happen around this time of the year with the onset of heavy rains, which usually lead to contamination of water sources.

Gwamna said that the ministry had intensified sensitisation in collaboration with traditional rulers and other stakeholders to educate the people on the need to improve hygiene and ensure regular sanitation.

The commissioner said that the state had deployed Disease Surveillance Officers to every electoral ward across the state.

According to Gwamna, the officers are saddled with the responsibility of reporting to the ministry, suspected cases based on the symptoms for prompt action.

“They are expected to give reports of happenings in their areas on daily basis to enable the government to take action in case of any outbreak,” he said.

Gwamna maintained that the Gov. Abdullahi Sule-led administration was committed to the provision of quality and affordable healthcare services to the people.

He further explained that the governor had approved the upgrade of four Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) to General Hospitals for improved services delivery.

He listed the PHCs to include Assakyo in Lafia, Gudi in Akwanga, New Karu in Karu and Azara in Awe Local Government Areas.