The state government has put in place measures to manage the situation, including providing palliative treatment, drugs and nutritional supplements to patients
By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto
Sokoto state government has alerted residents about the increasing cases of suspected heavy metal poisoning in some local government areas across the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar Wurno, announced this at a press briefing held at EOC unit of Specialists Hospital Sokoto.
According to him government has taken measures to address the situation.
Dr Faruku stated that a meeting was convened with stakeholders to discuss the outbreak and develop a management approach.
The Commissioner hinted that currently, thirty four patients from Tureta local government area are receiving treatment at the specialist hospital Sokoto.
The commissioner assured that investigations are ongoing and the government is working with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) to determine the cause of the poisoning.
He said the NCDC has sent a team to conduct research and has taken samples for analysis.
On its part, he noted the government has adopted a management protocol and established a committee to oversee the treatment of patients.
Faruku added that hospitals wards have been dedicated to managing the patients, and treatment, including feeding, as directed by the state governor, Ahmed Aliyu.
Similar cases, he added, have been reported in Isa local government area, where patients are receiving palliative treatment at the Isa General hospital.
The commissioner directed that all cases from other local government areas should be reported to the General hospitals.
According to him the state government has put in place measures to manage the situation, including providing palliative treatment, drugs and nutritional supplements to patients.
Dr Faruku explained that as of now, there is no confirmation on the cause of the poisoning, and the government awaits the outcome of the investigation.