Panic as Cholera kills seven people in Benue state
Familugba Victor Odunayo
The State Commissioner of Health and Human Services in Benue state, Dr. Joseph Ngbea, has disclosed that not less than seven people have died from Cholera in the state.
He made the disclosure on Tuesday in Makurdi, the state capital. He revealed that government has already provided medical consumables to the General Hospital, Obagaji in Agatu to contain the situation.
Dr. Ngbea revealed that the items made available to the hospital include Ringer Lactate, IV cannula, adhesive plaster, ORS, water guard, 5 ml syringes, 2ml syringes, zinc tablet, caps Doxycycline, tabs cypro and cotton wool. He was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Andrew Amee and the Director of Public Health, Dr. Terna Kur when he made the statement. He added that the prompt response accompanied with the release of funds by Governor Samuel Ortom, ensured effective treatment of those still hospitalized.
In addition, the commissioner promised urgent provision of test kits to the hospital to enhance testing as he stressed the need for local government councils to support medical teams to respond effectively for the good of the rural dwellers.
He commiserated with the Agatu people over the loss and urged the management of the hospital to formally present their demands for construction of perimeter fence, renovation of the hospital and repair of the hospital ambulance for necessary attention.
Also speaking, the Director of Public Health, Dr. Terna Kur, advised the local government authority to coordinate healthcare during outbreak for proper handling by providing logistic support to Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer to enable the desk report health issues to the ministry for the benefit of the populace.
Meanwhile, the Acting Medical Officer of the hospital, Dr. Adebo Oche, explained that a total of 51 cases of Cholera were recorded from Obagaji, Alokpa, Edeje and Abube with seven deaths alongside a child on admission.
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