Zamfara Emir mobilises subjects against disease

The traditional ruler, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in his palace on Thursday, said the campaign had become necessary in order to disabuse the minds of the people particularly rural dwellers on the disease.

“Some people, especially in the villages, have the assumption that it is witchcraft and they usually blame anyone they suspect with the death of their loved ones,’’ he said.

He explained that when a meningitis patient died mentioning someone’s name, they would conclude that the person is the one that had taken the life of the deceased.

According to him, the campaign is designed to educate residents on the causes of meningitis and measures to be taken as well as where to take a victim when the disease struck.

He commended his subjects over the reception accorded his team and the way they received the information passed.

The emir noted that his sensitisation campaign had helped in reducing the number of meningitis victims coming to health facilities as people were now taking precautions.

He commended the effort of the state and federal governments as well as donor organisations in curtailing the spread of the disease in his domain.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Zamfara is said to be the worst hit state by the disease this year since it first broke out in Gora ward of Birnin-Magaji Local Government Area of the state in February.