The Sokoto State Government has confirmed that 300 cases of meningitis have been recorded across several local government areas, following an outbreak first reported in February. The disclosure was made by the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Farouk Abubakar, during a one-day sensitisation campaign held on Friday, April 11. The event was organised by the State Ward Development Committee (WDC) Forum in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health and the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency.
While Dr. Abubakar confirmed the number of cases, he did not disclose the number of deaths linked to the outbreak. He noted that 16 individuals are currently receiving treatment in hospitals, while the remaining patients have been discharged.
In their separate remarks, the Special Adviser on the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Muhammad Bello Marnona, and the agency’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Larai Aliyu Tambuwal, commended the WDC’s initiative. They stressed that meningitis is preventable and urged residents to seek medical attention at nearby health facilities at the onset of symptoms.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the area, Malam Ya’u Muhammad Danda, represented by Vice Chairman Alhaji Faruk Umar Garba, described the sensitisation programme as timely and essential.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by the District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar Jabbi, praised Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration for its ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare delivery and protect public health.
Earlier, the State Chairman of the WDC, Comrade Bala Gadanga Sokoto, said the sensitisation campaign was prompted by the recent outbreak of meningitis in the state. He identified symptoms of the disease to include high fever, vomiting, and stiffness of the neck, and encouraged the public to act swiftly when such signs are noticed.