By Haruna Gimba
About 20 children have died of measles out of the over 300 cases recorded in Sokoto state, the Executive Secretary of the state’s Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Sani Labaran said.
Health Reporters reports that Lagos State government has recently confirmed the death of over 17 children from the measles.
Dr. Sani Labaran told newsmen that the deaths in Sokoto occurred in the past three weeks.
He said 18 of the 23 local government areas of the state were affected but assured that the situation had been brought under control as adequate drugs had been distributed and patients were receiving
treatment in various health facilities.
He added that many affected children had been treated and discharged from hospitals.
According to him, most of the children afflicted with the disease were those whose parents rejected immunisation against measles in the past three years.
Labaran stressed the importance of immunization, proper nourishment of the children and good hygiene practices.
He disclosed that adequate cold chain materials and vaccines had been distributed across the state just as he revealed plans to purchase solar-powered fridges for primary healthcare centres in the state to ensure maintenance of the vaccines’ efficacy.
