Muhammad Abubakar
7 March 2008
Bauchi — The Specialist Hospital Bauchi recorded over 150 cases and the death of 9 children as a result of measles within the past one week, hospital officials have said.
This according to the officials, has exposed the real situation on the measles problem despite the state government's programme of free medicare for mothers and children aged five and below which kicked off in February.
Our correspondent who visited the children's ward of the hospital yesterday noticed many women and their children in a packed ward, struggling to get treatment, amidst complaints of inability to access the free drugs promised by government.
A woman, Malama Zainab, who brought her 11 month- old baby, Abdulwahab Abdullahi to the hospital on Sunday said she bought all the drugs prescribed, except some multivitamins, "I buy drugs every day and I have been asked to stay in the hospital for five days. Nothing is free. My son has strong fever that has refused to go", she said.
Adamu Abubakar, the state secretary of the Red Cross in the area had earlier advised the state government while speaking with newsmen to decongest the children's ward and ensure that only those suffering from measles were hospitalized there to avoid its spread.
The Chief Medical Director who is also the Director General, Primary Health Care in the state, Dr. Musa Muhammad Danbam who conducted journalists round the children's ward confirmed the death and the increase in spread of the disease in the state.
He said their records showed an increase in the number of people affected by measles from just about 90 in 5 local government areas of the state to 150 cases, 9 deaths and in 10 local government areas in February, after government announced that it would provide free medicare to mothers and children of five years and below.
Responding to allegations by some mothers that they were purchasing drugs contrary to government's promise of treating their children free, the CMD explained that the drugs they were talking about might not be, "routine drugs administered to victims of measles. Their children may be having some specific needs."
He stated further that government was always taking note of the requirement of the patients with the aim of addressing the issue in subsequent purchases and while making its requisition to the Federal Ministry of Health, adding that there is about 200, 000 doses of the measles vaccine in the hospital.
Dr. Danbam while describing measles as preventable by vaccination, advised parents to keep personal hygiene and ensure that their wards get foods rich in nutrients to boost their immunity as well as provide them well-ventilated places, especially during periods of excessive heat.
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