The Kaduna State Commissioner for health, Dr. Paul M. Dogo has disclosed that the State has as at May 5, 2017 recorded 68 suspected cases of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM), out of which 11 were confirmed and eight deaths among the suspected cases.
He made the disclosure at the weekend during the 2017 first quarter 'Open Kaduna State Ministry of Health' organised by Kaduna State Maternal and Child Health Accountability Mechanism (KADMAM) in collaboration with Community Health and Research Initiative (CHR). Dr. Dogo identified Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Igabi and Giwa as Local Government areas with confirmed cases of CSM.
Kaduna state he said is ranked 22nd out of the 23 states with confirmed cases of CSM nationwide. As part of proactive measure, he said that meningitis alert has been sent to all medical directors of hospitals, procurement of spinal needles, pastorex kits and TI bottles, repositioning of drugs, ceftriaxone and meducal consumables to health facilities for case management as well as distribution of ciprofloxacin to high risk primary contacts of confirmed cases.
Speaking further, the Commissioner mentioned that two cases of lassa fever was also confirmed in 2017. Both cases according to him were reported from Igabi LGA, saying the male patient was isolated in Kakuri IDCC and treated successfully with Ribaririn while the female patient died on day of presentation and was diagnosed post mortem with blood samples.
However, key findings by KADMAM revealed that the 11percent allocation of the 2017 annual total budget to health indicates state's commitment and gradual move to reach 15percent Abuja declaration. The score card also showed that the state governmen has released about 14percent of the total health sector capital budget between January - April, 2017.
KADMAM therefore recommended timely release of funds to health MDAs in the subsequent months for speed implementation of activities. It also urged the state government to work with Civil Society Organizations to conduct budget tracking at health facilities and provide feedback to Ministry of Health.
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