The Sokoto State Government has confirmed the death of 56 people as a result of Gastroenteritis which currently ravaging some states across the country.
Commissioner for Health in the State, Dr Ali Inname, stated this while briefing Journalists shortly after the State Executive Council meeting at Government House Chamber in Sokoto.
Dr Inname said as part of measures to contain the disease, the state government has procured drugs worth millions of Naira and distributed to all the 23 local government areas of the state
According to him, Governor Tambuwal had also directed all the 23 local government councils Chairmen to be holding stakeholders meeting to sensitize their people on preventive measures.
He said that the councils Chairmen have also been directed to ensure daily monitoring and supervision of their domain and report back to the state government for prompt action against the disease.
Dr Inname said the outbreak was recorded in 22 local governments areas, while he described Dange Shuni, Illela, Gwadabawa and Bodinga as worse affected councils with highest number of cases.
The Commissioner advised members of the public to clean their environment and ensure self hygienes because the disease is caused by poor sanitary condition and among others.
Also in her submission, the Commissioner of Science and Technical Education, Dr Kulu Haruna, said the state government has considered and approved the purchase of 2,500 double space beds and 5,000 mattresses at the cost of N437.5 million to be distributed to the science schools across the state.
Dr Kulu said that the beds would cover all the schools under the ministry of science and technical education in the state.
Also the Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Bashir Garba, said the Council has considered and approved a law establishing the new Shehu Shagari University of Education.
According to him, the council had earlier this year constituted a committee of experts to advice it on how to best to go about the establishing the University, adding that the committee has since submitted its report
Professor Garba said based on the committee’s recommendations, the council delivered and approved the law establishing the university as required by the established procedure of the national university commission.
Lateefah Ibrahim