By Laraba Usman
Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has donated drugs and consumables to Gombe State government for the management and treatment of Cerebral Spinal Meningitis (CSM) worth million of Naira.
Speaking on the situation of CSM in Gombe state during the presentation ceremony of the items donated, Dr. Habu Dahiru Commissioner of Health Gombe State said 27 mortalities were recorded in three Local Government Areas namely Nafada, Dukku and Funakaye LGAs.
He said the total number of samples collated was 82, out of which 23 were positive, 58 negative, and one awaiting result.
He said the journey of the CSM outbreak started in February when they got a report of some mysterious disease in Nafada LGA that was killing people, and that necessitated their quick response to Nafada for investigations.
He said by February 18, they activated the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) because of the sporadic cases received, some were suspected CSM while others were some form of conditions associated with heat.
Dahiru said that after activating the EOC, the ministry deployed the rapid response team for investigation of active cases while treatment centres were established.
Also, speaking Ag. Coordinator World Health Organization in Gombe,Mr. Samuel Bonnet said the state was proactive during the incidence through the procurement of vaccines from the National Primary Health Care for the treatment of the disease.
Also speaking, Mr. Isaq Ahmad team lead MSF said the drugs, consumables, and treatment kits were for the treatment and management of CSM.
He said they were in Gombe to assist the ministry in the situation management, to donate the items, and also to train those who will manage and treat the cases.