The federal government has received an interim report on the mass deaths in Kano State and will soon make the details public, according to the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire who spoke at the regular press briefing by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.
He said already, a medical team and equipment including ambulances, thermometers, ventilators, personal protective equipment (PPE) among others have been deployed to Kano to provide emergency services in the state, while the full report on the mysterious deaths in the state is being awaited.
Also, chairman of the Presidential Task Force and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha confirmed that already, isolation and treatment centres with a capacity for 274 persons have been established in Kano.
Mustapha disclosed that the task force, in the immediate, has further strengthened the state to scale-up its response with the provision of necessary facilities and medical equipment to diminish the fight against the pandemic in the state.
He said the medical equipment released and transported to Kano to beef up the response include: 2 oxygen concentrators and 3 ventilators; 280 protective gowns; 51 face shields; 538 examination gloves; 25 boot covers; medical masks and surgical caps; and infrared thermometers respectively.
“I am confident that the above collaboration complemented by the lockdown directed by the President will be effective in slowing down the spread while we continue to test, detect, isolate, trace contacts and manage cases. Also, the on-going investigation into the causes of the recently reported high number of deaths will be pursued to a logical conclusion,” Mustapha stated.
However, Ehanire said that to totally contain the situation in Kano, the federal ministry of health is supporting Kano State COVID-19 Task force with necessary material, training and human resources.
According to him, “the material and human resources include assembling and dispatching a technical team from the ministry and virus infectious disease specialists from Irrua Specialist Hospital to join a technical team from Lagos ministry of health that is already on ground in Kano at the request of the governor of Kano State”.
He said: “The ministerial task team sent on a fact-finding mission to Kano has sent an interim report, which provided information on the needs, strengths and weaknesses of the Kano response system.
“While I await a full report, this will guide the ministry in supporting Kano State COVID-19 Task force with necessary material, training and human resources.
“There will therefore be a good pool of very experienced hands-on experts to support the leading role of Kano State in the response.
“An emergency medical team from the federal ministry of health has left Abuja with ambulances, five of which were kindly donated by FRSC, on their way to Kano to provide emergency response in view of movement restrictions arising from the lockdown.
Consequently, Ehanire has urged all Kano citizens to observe safety guidelines so as to keep safe and prevent spread of the virus.
“I shall, as usual, ask citizens to adhere to advisories: stay home and do not travel anywhere, because there is no call for everyone to return to their village.
“Wear a mask or face covering if you must go out of your house and make sure to wash it every evening. Wash your hands regularly and practice respiratory hygiene. Remember social distancing, avoid crowds and inform those around you of these advisories,” Ehanire stated.
Solomon Ayado, Abuja
