Katsina and Kano State governments say they have put in place proactive measures to contain the outbreak of hot season-related diseases this year.

Responding to enquiries from journalists on their state of preparedness to handle the outbreak of diseases during the hot season, the authorities in those states said both preventive and curative approaches would be adopted.

They said that already, there were standing committees on the outbreak of diseases, just as most health facilities had been stocked with drugs and vaccines.

The director, public health, Katsina State Ministry of Health, Ma’awiya Aliyu, said enough drugs had been purchased and stocked in health facilities across the state.

He said the ministry had Disease Surveillance, Monitoring and Evaluation officers tasked with the responsibility of reporting outbreaks of diseases to the appropriate authorities.

Mr Aliyu stated that apart from the surveillance officers, there is an Emergency Response Committee, headed by the State Commissioner of Health.

“We meet on a quarterly basis and plan on what to do to prevent the occurrence of diseases during such periods.

“We also have an emergency meeting when there is an outbreak of a disease, to take measures that will contain the spread of such diseases,” he said.

He advised that people, especially children, should get vaccinated against hot season diseases, and also report any health problem to the nearest health facility for prompt action to be taken.

Also, the Kano State government said it was placing emphasis on preventive measures, rather than curative, as part of its proactive measures.

Ashir Rajab, director of Public Health and Disease Control, Kano State Ministry of Health, said drugs had also been procured for outbreaks of diseases.

He listed the common diseases during the hot season to include measles, malaria, cholera, and meningitis, among others.

“In Kano, we are lucky to have a Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency, which, at any given time, we go and collect drugs or consumables needed, and pay when the funds are available.

“This has made our work easier, particularly in the handling of emergency cases of outbreaks of diseases,” he explained.

He called on people of the State to embrace routine immunisation to keep their children fit and immune to child-killer diseases.

(NAN)