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Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed concern on the high death toll so far recorded this year following the outbreak of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) in parts of the country.
In a statement issued by his media office in Abuja on Thursday, Atiku called for concerted efforts to forestall further spread of the disease and attendant deaths.
The former vice president described as worrisome the death toll, which currently stands at 366.
“I understand that the heat-induced illness which causes the swelling of the outer part of the brain has also affected 2,996 cases in 16 states and 54 local government areas.
“For me it implies a lot of effort is required to stop these deaths,” Atiku said.
He also called on the international community and donor agencies to come to Nigeria’s aid on the grounds that “it is an emergency situation”.
Besides, the APC chieftain urged relevant agencies of government to take precautionary measures to ensure that preventive measures were in place in states prone to the health challenge.
He also called for serious inter-agency collaboration involving the Ministries of Health, Housing, Environment, Information, metrological agency as well as the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
According to him, the inter-agency collaboration would lead to the development of a comprehensive preventive and treatment master-plan that would ensure that the carnage recorded in 2017 is avoided in future.
The former vice president also called for sustained research on the ailment to avoid new challenges being experienced in treating victims of the outbreak of meningitis this year.
Atiku further called for appropriate budgetary allocations by government at all levels, to ensure the availability of funds for early procurement of vaccines and other items needed for better medical response to outbreaks.
He also appealed for a preventive package that includes a robust enlightenment and educative programme on the disease.
“The package should clearly explain how the disease should be avoided; signs of contracting the disease as well as what to do when there is such an outbreak,’’ he said.
He said by providing the enlightenment and educative programmes, individuals and families would become part of efforts to kick meningitis out of Nigeria.
The APC stalwart said that traditional rulers and religious leaders should be part of the campaign since they are closer to the people, especially in the rural areas.
Atiku prayed for the repose of the souls of those who died from the outbreak of the disease and the quick recovery of those receiving treatment.
He also prayed that God gives the bereaved families the fortitude to bear the loss of their loved ones.
NAN