Kano State Government has finally admitted the increasing death rate in the state, describing it as a serious situation.
Kano, Nigeria’s most populated state with over 9 million persons according to the 2006 census, has been hit by mysterious deaths in the last two days.
It was reported that no fewer than 23 high-profile personalities lost their lives in rather controversial circumstances in 24 hours, the most recent, Prof. Balarabe Maikaba, a prominent scholar and former Head of the Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano (BUK).
Amidst the coronavirus outbreak, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje had suggested that the multiple deaths were blown out of proportion.
However, in a statement on Sunday through Commissioner for information, Malam Muhammad Garba, Ganduje confirmed the alarming deaths albeit indefinite about the root cause.
According to Malam Garba, a preliminary report from the state Ministry of Health indicated that the deaths are not connected to COVID-19 rather complications arising from hypertension, diabetes, meningitis and acute malaria.
“Governor Ganduje’s administration has been commended from within and outside the state over the proactive measures it took towards curbing the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
“This explains why Kano, apart from being the most populous state, did not record a case of the pandemic until lately.
“Though we agree that the situation on hand currently is serious, we are not resting on our oars in taking appropriate measures to ensure that the good people of Kano state, and indeed, residents in the state protect themselves from the novel COVID-19 pandemic.”
He further noted that part of measures taken by the state government to stop the spread of the virus includes the on-going lockdown, closing of borders, aggressive campaign for social distancing, washing and sanitizing of hands, as well as strict adherence to and practice of the principles of personal hygiene.
He added that the government through the Kano COVID-19 Fund-Raising Committee has been making palliatives available to the most vulnerable and the needy in the society.
Garba said, “more so, the state government has three modern Isolation Centres where those tested positive to COVID-19 are being cared for. We are also hopeful of getting additional two Isolation Centres soonest.
The government has also hired a hotel where suspected cases are accommodated.
“Also, the Kano state government is collaborating with Bayero University Kano (BUK) to establish a testing centre within the institution, which will be ready in two weeks time after being certified by the NCDC. This will, indeed, enhance our determination to ensure that every suspected case undergo the test.
“Governor Ganduje has also sent a passionate appeal to the Federal Government to urgently work on the NCDC testing centre at AKTH which has been closed down for some time now.
“We have enough medical manpower that can take care of the patients. What we are now asking for is financial assistance from the Federal Government and other donors to help sustain all this infrastructure and also continue the provision of palliatives to our people.”
He noted that “the state government is concerned over what is happening. The Ministry of Health is already handling the situation. When they are through with the medical investigation, further necessary actions will be taken.
“I urge the good people of Kano state not to panic. Government is on top of the situation. The mystery or whatever it is will soon be unravelled.”
