Ganduje accuses FG of neglect, Kano denies deaths from COVID-19

 

BY OUR REPORTER

Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has accused the Federal Government of neglecting his state as Nigeria grapples with fight to rid the country of the coronavirus disease.

This is even as the state’s commissioner for information, Muhammad Garba, said on Sunday that recent deaths in the state were caused by “complications arising from hypertension, diabetes, meningitis and acute malaria.”

No fewer than 20 persons had been reported dead from undisclosed ailments in Kano in less than two days. The deceased include professors, a newspaper editor, and other professionals, according to The Punch.

Ganduje expressed his displeasures in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service on Monday, where he acknowledged that Kano State was in a serious problem and was not getting the attention it deserved.

He said, “We are in a serious problem. I can tell you the situation is really bad and scary. Because what we solely rely upon in fighting the disease is the testing centre.

“There is also a shortage of sample collection equipment. It is not common equipment that you can go and buy in the market. Those whose samples were collected are still waiting to know their fate.

“The problem (is) with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19. Even its Director-General was in Kano. He spent a night here but we have not heard from him again. The Minister of Health is also aware that the laboratory is not functioning.

“There is a serious problem. We have been complaining that Kano needs more than one testing centre, right from the beginning of this (pandemic).”

When asked whether the state was not getting any support from Federal Government agencies in the fight against COVID-19, the governor said, “Sincerely speaking, we are not getting deserved attention. If these equipment (testing centres) are under our control, we will do our best to make sure it works properly. But we are not getting the needed support and co-operation from the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.”

READ: Fear grips Kano residents as more die from strange illness

However, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, while featuring on a programme on Channel Television on Sunday said the laboratory in Kano would resume operations on Monday, adding that a delegation would be sent there “to thoroughly investigate the circumstances responsible for the rising mysterious deaths in the state.”

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), as of Sunday night, 77 of the 1,273 total cases recorded in the country were reported in Kano.

In a statement on Sunday night, the state commissioner for information said even though investigation was still ongoing, preliminary report showed that the reported deaths in Kano were not as a result of COVID-19.

He said, “Although an investigation into the cause of the deaths is still ongoing, preliminary reports from the state Ministry of Health indicated that the deaths are not connected to the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports have shown that most of the deaths were caused by complications arising from hypertension, diabetes, meningitis, and acute malaria.

“Moreso, the state government has three modern Isolation Centres where those tested positive to COVID-19 are being cared for. We are also hopeful of getting an additional two Isolation Centres soonest. The government has also hired a hotel where suspected cases are accommodated.

“Also, the Kano State Government is collaborating with​ Bayero University Kano to establish a testing centre within the institution, which will be ready in two weeks’ time after being certified by the NCDC. This will, indeed, enhance our determination to ensure that every suspected case undergoes a test.”