The Zamfara State Government has successfully brought the recent cholera outbreak under control across the 14 Local Government Areas, with no active cases currently reported in any LGA.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Nafisa Maradun, announced the development during an After Action Review Meeting on the cholera response, held at the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre in Gusau.
Maradun described the achievement as evidence of the administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and people-centred governance.
Maradun revealed the full extent of the outbreak, stating that they recorded 15,464 cholera cases, with 15,265 patients successfully treated and discharged, while tragically, 192 deaths were documented across the state’s 14 LGAs.
Pandemic Preparedness Plan
The commissioner noted that the state government had developed a robust Pandemic Preparedness Plan to address future public health threats, including cholera, diarrhoea, cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM), heavy metal contamination, and other diseases of public health importance.
According to her, appreciation letters had been issued to all supporting partners in recognition of their vital contributions and commitment.
Maradun was represented by the Ministry’s Director of Public Health, Dr Yusuf Haske.
The State Coordinator of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Raji Mukhtar, highlighted the critical importance of timely planning, proper coordination according to IMS, and accurate data reporting.
Mukhtar cited key lessons learned, noting that initial challenges in Zurmi and Anka created vulnerability to misinformation, particularly following media reports from Gummi, which heightened public anxiety.
He stressed the need for improved, well-coordinated data reporting at the Local Government level, particularly through Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (DSNOs), to strengthen surveillance and early detection efforts.
The review meeting was attended by major health partners, including WHO, UNICEF, AFENET, Solidarity Support, IRC, the Red Cross, and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
Other key and relevant government MDAs present included Ruwatsan, PHCB, Humanitarian, ZESA, and the Ministries of Information and Environment.
NAN