PDP concerned about outbreak of disease

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Federal Government to do everything within its power to check the recent outbreak of type ‘C’ Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) in the country.

The party made the call in a statement by the Publicity Secretary of its National Caretaker Committee, Mr Dayo Adeyeye, on Wednesday in Abuja.

It advised the government not to play politics with the menace.

It condoled with the families of all those who had died as a result of the scourge since the outbreak.

“We urge all Nigerians to drink more water, sleep in a ventilated environment and report symptoms to the nearest health centre within their areas for quick medical attention,’’ it said.

The party, however, expressed concern on the news of the outbreak of the disease in the country and the lukewarm reaction of Zamfara and Federal Governments at curtailing the scourge.

It said that the primary responsibility of any government was to protect the lives and property of its citizens and that it was disheartening the way the menace was being handled.

“As of Tuesday, April 4, about 336 Nigerians had lost their lives due to the outbreak of type C Cerebrospinal Meningitis and the Federal Ministry of Health has not taken any concrete step to contend with the spread.

“ It is on record that the PDP Government in 16 years did not allow such display.’’

It stated that it was more worrisome that a statement credited to the Governor of Zamfara, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, attributed the outbreak of the ailment to God’s making.

“However, we wish to advise him to resign immediately for making such statement as a state governor and the Chairman of Governors Forum who is supposed to bring hope to the people and not despair,’’ it added.