Yellow Fever:Delay in receiving outcome of lab tests slowing emergency operations in Bauchi

Results

By Amina Ahmed

Bauchi, Sept. 25, 2019 (NAN) The Chairman, Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (BSHCDA), Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, says delay in returning results of sample sent to laboratories for test of suspected Yellow Fever disease, is retarding emergency response operations .

Mohammed, who expressed utmost concern on the development, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi on Wednesday that the results were to be returned from Abuja and Dakar in Senegal.

According to him, samples stay for three weeks before results arrive the state, therefore delaying intervention.

He said that other challenges were non availability of ambulance for quick movement of referral cases, as well as inadequate clinical staff at the Primary Health Center in Gar town of Alkaleri Local Government Area

The  PHC in Gar is the facility used for patients with suspected cases of Yellow Fever in Alkaleri Local Government

Mohammed called on members of the public to ensure that all their children were immunized against the six childhood killer diseases.

“Eight new cases of Yellow Fever were recorded in Primary Health Center (PHC), Gar, from Sept. 20 to Sept. 21.

“Three out of the eight cases died as all the cases were presented to the facilities very late.

“They were all coming from traditional medicine healers; five of them had been vaccinated earlier; a new suspected case came from Darazo Local Government Area.

“The total case recorded from Aug. 29 to Sept. 21, is 110; total deaths- 15, confirmed cases-14, pending results-42, awaiting shipment is one,” he said.(NAN)

AE/OIF/ASH
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo