In response to the deaths caused by an unidentified ailment in the Nafada Local Government Area of Gombe State, the House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to investigate and contain the spread of the yet-to-be-identified disease.
The House specifically called on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to swiftly deploy personnel for emergency verification of the disease’s nature.
Additionally, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention was urged to implement surveillance measures to curb the disease’s spread and ensure affected victims receive adequate treatment.
This resolution stemmed from a motion under matters of urgent public importance moved by Aboullahi El-Rasheed, the representative for Dukku/Nafada Federal Constituency, Gombe State.
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In his motion, he expressed concern about the outbreak of the unidentified disease spreading across communities in Nafada LGA, claiming the lives of youths and children and causing fear and apprehension in the affected areas.
He outlined the symptoms of the disease, which encompass severe headache, stomach pain, vomiting of foul-smelling stool, and leg pain progressing to other parts of the body before resulting in death.
The legislator mentioned that the Gombe State Primary Healthcare Development Agency has mobilized additional health personnel to assist the current staff at Nafada General Hospital.
This measure aims to prevent the disease from spreading further and ensure that affected victims receive necessary medical attention.
“Worried that the disease is fast spreading with about 30 deaths recorded as of February 26, 2024, and that it can potentially halt business and school activities across the communities as parents are afraid of sending their children to school due to fear of contracting the disease;“We are further worried that the situation will escalate and spread to other neighbouring communities and local governments if not properly and professionally managed.”
Adopting the motion, the House mandated the Committees on Healthcare Services and Legislative Compliance to see to the matter.
