“The outbreak of meningitis is an indication of weak health system in Northern Nigeria”, Department for International Department (DFID) has declared.
The DFID’s Nigerian Representative, Dr. Salma Kolo made this disclosure in Kaduna at the emergency meeting of Northern traditional leaders committee on Public Health Centre, and some governors from the North-West.
DFID boss explained, “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 Executive Governors to continue to put in more efforts in strengthening the health system, especially the primary healthcare system.”
“Unfortunately we in Northern Nigeria are not privileged, the vulnerable groups are mainly women and children that 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 like 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.
“As part of other programmes funded by the UK government, one of which is reduction and averting maternal death in Northern Nigeria and also improving child survival”.
This Newspaper recalled that Cerebrospinal meningitis, CSM, 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.
The Country Representative of World Health Organisation (WHO), 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 that 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”.
