Ibrahim Muhammad
4 November 2009
Yola — The Adamawa State Commissioner for Health Dr Zainab Baba Kwanchi has confirmed a cholera outbreak in the state, saying many lives had been lost while hundreds were in hospital. A medical health worker in the state who pleaded anonymity said no fewer than 20 lives had been lost. According to some reports, about 160 families were affected in Mubi North,Mubi south,Gombi ,Hong and Maiha Local Government Areas.
The high death toll was attributed to the last strike by health workers as well as poor hygiene, especially in the rural areas of the state. While on assessment visit to some of the affected areas, Dr Kwanchi described the resurgence of cholera in the state as disheartening, attributing it to prolonged strike by health workers. She assured that enough vaccines and health personnel were being provided to address the problem.
The Federal Ministry of Health had noted that a survey carried out by the ministry revealed that less than 40 per cent of the entire population of the state had no access to toilet facilities, which prompted defecation in open places that were swept into open water sources such as wells, the major source of drinking water during heavy rains. The health workers union in the state has temporarily suspended its prolonged strike as parts of efforts to save lives.
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