Covid-19: Bauchi governor denies online reports on multiple deaths

By: Umar usman Duguri

His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has debunked an online media report that there have been massive deaths in Azare, Headquarters of Katagum Local Government within the last seven days. 

We don't  have such incident of ongoing mass deaths in Azare as reported in some sections of the media and the social media.

 Based on our finding in the town, only 30 people have so far died in the last one week, and their deaths were not in any way related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Governor described the report  fake, baseless and misleading, generated by mischief makers. 

Currently, Bauchi state response to Covid19 is one of the best in the northern part of the country in the areas of effective surveillance, contact tracing, efficient and professional case management, good risk communication and community engagement as well as proper coordination at the emergency operation centre. 

"Unfortunately some mischief makers from Abuja, who are not in touch with their people are trying to undermine the efforts of the state government and our hardworking frontline healthcare workers. 

Bauchi State Government in collaboration with the World Health Organization, Bauchi Head Office  train Health Workers covering Bauchi North Senatorial District as new measures to scale up fight against the deadly COVID-19 pandemic in the  state.

This was disclosed by the Bauchi State Deputy Governor Senator Baba Tela in Azare during a meeting with the Management of the Federal Medical Centre Azare.

The Deputy Governor who is also the State Chairman Task Force on COVID-19 holds a meeting in an  efforts to strengthen the capacity of staff of the Federal Medical Centre Azare especially, Doctors, Nurses and other essential personnel needed in the fight against the disease considering the number of cases coming the area.

The training will be headed by the Commissioner of Health, Dr Aliyu M Maigoro and the Executive Chairman State Primary Health Care Development Agency Dr Rilwanu Muhammad while WHO office Bauchi headed by Dr Adamu Ibrahim Ningi is expected to give technical expertise.

In addition, mini Emergency Operation Centre is to be set up so as to fast track prompt decisions for all emergencies and immediate solution. 

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Other issues discussed at the meeting include consumables and drugs supplies, data management and documentation, method of feeding the patients at the FMC Azare, the efficacy of Case Management and how to respond to emergency, Risk Communication strategies.