Headlines
Kano confirms Lassa fever outbreak, places 292 persons on watch list
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The Kano state government has confirmed the outbreak of Lassa fever in the state, saying it has placed a total of 292 persons who appear to show active symptoms of the deadly virus.
Addressing a news conference on Wednesday, Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa also confirmed the death of two medical doctors at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) and a pregnant woman as a result of the Lassa fever.
He said 292 contacts have so far been lined-listed and are currently being followed as required by the guidelines of managing epidemic diseases.
Mr Tsanyawa added that the state Ministry of Health was officially notified by a reference laboratory in Abuja that two of the suspected Lassa fever cases have been confirmed positive.
Tsanyawa said the index case was a 28-year old pregnant woman from Gwale local government area who became sick two weeks after the death of her mother, who was referred from a private hospital to AKTH.
“We also got another response from one of our disease control unit of Tarauni local government, which informed us of three people who were suffering from lassa fever.
“After sending the samples to Abuja for confirmation, two out of the three patients were diagnosed positive of Lassa fever and have passed away, while the third patient is at Yar-gaya hospital receiving treatment,” he explained.
He said following the report, the Kano state government swung into action so as to expeditiously curtail the spread of the viral disease.
The commissioner explained that part of the measures being taken to curtail the spread of the disease include re-activation of the state’s Isolation Center at Yar-gaya town in Dawakin Kudu local government area of the state.
In addition, he said the government has also “activated a rapid response team (RRT), conducted state emergency preparedness and response committee meetings as well as preparations of drugs and other consumables.”
Dr Tsanyawa said government has planned to further intensify surveillance on Lassa fever thorough engagement of traditional and religious institutions, production and airing jingles and sensitization of health personnel.
He assured citizens of the state and all stakeholders that the government is ready to partner with all persons, groups and organizations in its determination toward providing qualitative healthcare services for people of the state.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria, PLANE, has revealed that it has trained over 8,000 primary school teachers in Kano.
KANO FOCUS reports that the PLANE’s State Team Lead, Malam Umar Lawan, revealed this during a presentation at the Kano State Quarterly Review Meeting Agenda, held in Kano on Tuesday.
Represented by State Reform Facilitator Umma Muhammad Rakana, the State Team Lead said the training was conducted in collaboration with State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB).
Umma Muhammad Rakana
He added that PLANE had coordinated book and other learning materials distribution at the classroom level across the 532 schools in Kano state.
He said the distribution was to ensure every child own learning materials.
According to him, PLANE had supported 35 school-based management committees that sensitized stakeholders on book care and maintenance, including parents, SBMC, PTA chairmen, LGEA staff, community leaders, religious leaders, and youth groups.
Some of them, according to him, supported the programme by donating 2 hectares of land in Kafinwachiwaya, Takai Local Government area for the construction of 2 classrooms, and 2 bundles of zinc sheets.
“There were also various cash donations for bricks, sand, bags of cement ement, and costs for construction was also donated.“PLANE also organized
Reading Festivals in Minjibir and Gabasawa LGAs to promote reading culture amongst pupils, received financial donations from stakeholders, and LGEAs agreed to make the festival an annual event.
Cross section of critical stakeholders at the event
In the presentation, Lawan suggested that more teachers need to be employed to bridge the gaps of inadequate teachers in some schools, especially hard-to-reach areas.
He also advised for provision of other learning materials like pencils and exercise books by parent, noting that “this will further improve teaching and learning and better learning outcome for pupils.
Cross section of critical stakeholders at the meeting
“More school support visit needs to be conducted to ensure lesson delivery by teachers,” he said.
He said the purpose of the meeting was to give update on key activities conducted in the PLANE programmes in the last quarter, adding that the review would look at successes and challenges in order to find the way forward.
Earlier in a remark, the Commissioner for Education, Haruna Doguwa represented by Malam Munzali Mustapha commended the stakeholders for the meeting, which according to him, it was crucial to education sector.
Malam Munzali Mustapha
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Governor of Kano State Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has directed the Head of Civil Service Abdullahi Musa to supervise the office of the Secretary to the Kano State Government.
KANO FOCUS reports that this was contained in a statement issued by Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the spokesperson to the Governor in the early hours of Thursday.
The appointment was as a result of medical vacation taken by the SSG Dr. Abdullahi Baffa Bichi who flew out of the country for medical treatment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In a letter signed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor Shehu Wada Sagagi, the Head of Service is to provide a supervisory role pending the return of the SSG in the next few weeks.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has approved the elevation of his official spokesperson Mr. Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa from Chief Press Secretary to Director General, Media and Publicity.
KANO FOCUS reports that the elevation was contained in a statement issued by Aliyu Yusuf, Director Public Enlightenment, Kano State Government House, in the early hours of Thursday.
According to the statement the appointment is with immediate effect.
The statement also announced the appointment of other political office holders to occupy various positions as follows:
“Hon. Rabi’u Saleh Gwarzo, Permanent Commissioner I SUBEB , Engr. Sarki Ahmad, Director General, Rural Access and Mobility Project.
“Hon. Surajo Imam Dala, Director General, Cottage Trade and Street Hawking.
“Dr. Dahiru Saleh Muhammad, Executive Secretary, Science and Technical Schools Board.
“Abubakar Adamu Rano, Deputy Managing Director, Radio Kano
“Hajiya Hauwa Isah Ibrahim, Deputy Managing Director, ARTV.
“Dr. Gaddafi Sani Shehu, Deputy Managing Director, Kano Hydro Electricity Development Company (KHEDCO).”
While congratulating the new appointees, the Governor directed them to assume their new roles immediately.
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