Sokoto govt meets traditional, religious leaders on solution

From Raji Bello, Sokoto

Sokoto State Government has summoned traditional and religious leaders across the state over containing the deadly coronavirus spread in the state.
Governor Aminu Tambuwal who chaired the meeting was attended by no fewer than 250 personalities that include Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, government officials and other stakeholders.
Meanwhile, Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ali Imname said the state ministry of health is constantly monitoring the situation across the state and provided three isolation centers for suspected CONVID 19 cases.
Inname said the centres were located at Amanawa Infectious disease hospital, Usmanu Danfodio Teaching Hospital and a special centre at the Specialists Hospital in the state capital.
But investigation by our correspondent revealed that the designated isolation centers have not be equip for the purpose meant for.
A center located at Infectious Diseases Hospital popularly called Leprosy Hospital in Amanawa, a suburb of Sokoto, observed that construction workers were busy perfecting the building.
At the State Specialist Hospital, the Medical Director, Dr Nuhu Maishanu, confirmed that no fewer than 10 capacity bed isolation center has be provided in the hospital. Maishanu however said materials were being expected for the center to be ready hopefully by Wednesday March 25.
Our Correspondent who also visited Infection Control Unit of the Usmanu Danfodiyo Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, where the Sokoto State Government claimed to have designated as an isolation center was established three years ago by the hospital management to accommodate suspected cases of Lassa fever in the state.
Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Anas Sabir the center was designed to handle epidemics contrary to the Covid-19 isolation center claim of the state government. “Before now, we have had outbreak of Lassa fever. So we created a place as a holding site where we isolate patients that have viral Haemorrhagic fevers.
“We had an agreement with the State Government by working closely with them as a partner. We provide technical support for their health workers. We also agreed to only manage any suspect and confirm cases of Lassa fever and allow the State Government to manage the Covid-19 cases at the State Infection Disease Center, Anamawa,” Dr. Sabir explained.