The Bauchi State Government has approved N15million to prepare against the outbreak of Gastroenteritis, Cholera and control other diseases in the state.
Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, the Executive Secretary of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (BSPHCDA), stated this on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria( NAN) in Bauchi.
Gastroenteritis is a short-term illness triggered by the infection and inflammation of the digestive system. Symptoms can include abdominal cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting.
Some of the causes of gastroenteritis include: viruses, bacteria, bacterial toxins, parasites, particular chemicals and some drugs.
He said that the agency and its Development Partners held a preparedness meeting as the 2022 rainy season sets in.
He said to combat the outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO),UNICEF and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had bought Rapid Diagnostic Kits (RDK) for Cholera.
Mohamed said that Doctors without Borders would be supporting the state with an isolation camp.
The secretary said that the agency would embark on sensitisation on symptoms and signs of the disease for early presentation to health facilities.
According to him,campaigns and media chats will also be part of the prevention strategies.
He recalled that in the past, the state recorded 19,000 gastroenteritis infections and 348 deaths.
” We are approaching the rainy season; the reason for early preparation is to fight the possible spread of gastroenteritis, cholera and other diseases.
“The level of preparedness is to ensure that in case we experience the outbreak of gastroenteritis or cholera, with the collective efforts of state, development partners and the public, the spread of the diseases will be curtailed, ” he said
Mohammed condemned the yearly occurrence of such cases in the southern part of the state.
He said that the root cause would be identified to safeguard public health.
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The agency’s chief executive reminded members of the general public of the need to embrace environmental and personal hygiene.
Mohammed commended the Bauchi State Environmental and Protection Agency for its plans to construct public toilets to end open defecation in the state.
