The Federal Government says pathologists from Bauchi, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, and other high burden states, are to undergo training in Kano State, for investigation of unexplained deaths in their states.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, during the Presidential Taskforce (PTF), briefing on COVID-19, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that unexplained deaths in the concerned states have continued to cause panic among residents.
Ehanire said that the four states will be working with the pathologists to ascertain the cause of the mysterious deaths in the affected states.
The minister further disclosed that a team of experts has arrived in Bauchi State, to also investigate the deaths in Azare and Katagum local government areas.
“A delegation of experts is presently in Bauchi State, on a fact finding mission to work with the government and look into reports of unexplained deaths in Azare.
“Similar missions to Katsina and Jigawa, had identified the needs in those states, including a molecular laboratory in Katsina, to reduce the backlog of pending tests and the turn-around time for results.
“Other high burden areas or states grappling with epidemic control issues will be offered similar support,” he said.
On the Kano situation, Ehanire said the Federal Ministry of Health had responded by dispatching a team of medical experts to provide technical support to the state.
“I am happy to inform you that the team has done well in its assignment and has reported a lot of success in helping to stabilise the state’s health system and assuage the disquiet among health workers, who are to restart routine service delivery.
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“No new infections of health workers has been reported in recent times, as those who have recovered are awaiting certification to resume work,” he said.
Ehanire said the ministry was working with its agencies, other organs of government and multinational organisations, in sustained efforts to control transmission with tried, tested and innovative measures.
“The nature of this outbreak, as we have observed in other countries, is such that the sustainability of any strategy may be challenged as time goes on, by evolving realities at home and across the globe.
“We therefore encourage the organs of state maintaining vigilance at our borders, including our port health services, to keep up the good work and not to tire or relent,” he said.
He said that the ministry had been closely monitoring and reviewing the unfolding situation in some states, where COVID-19 appeared to have gained ground.
According to the minister, Lagos and Ekiti states are ready to deploy health workers to COVID-19 high burden states in need of manpower across the country .
“In this regard, I must commend the ongoing initiative by the Governors’ Forum, to give each other mutual support by mobilising available human resources for health volunteers from states, to support others with high burden and manpower shortages.
“I am encouraged by my recent discussions with their excellencies, the governors of Lagos and Ekiti states in this respect,” he added.
