In a decisive move to curb the recent outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis across several communities, the Sokoto State Government has rolled out a comprehensive sensitisation campaign aimed at containing the disease and preventing further spread. The campaign, which was officially launched during a state-level awareness event held at the Alu Ya Gode Hall on Thursday, comes in response to the alarming rise in infections that has seen over 300 reported cases in recent weeks.
Addressing stakeholders at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruku Abubakar Wurno, expressed optimism over the state’s intervention efforts, noting that the swift response by health authorities had already begun yielding positive results. According to him, although more than 300 individuals were affected by the outbreak, only 16 patients remain on admission as of Thursday, with the majority already treated and discharged.
“This response is a testament to the prompt and coordinated action of our health system. With effective treatment, most of the patients have recovered and gone home,” Dr. Wurno stated.
The initiative is being driven by the Sokoto State Ward Development Committee (WDC) Forum in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency. Health professionals at the event, including Dr. Muhammad Marnona and Dr. Larai Tambuwal, educated attendees on the symptoms and prevention strategies for meningitis, stressing that early detection remains critical.
They urged residents to report to the nearest healthcare facility as soon as symptoms such as persistent high fever, vomiting, severe headaches, or neck stiffness appear. They emphasized that the disease is both treatable and preventable when addressed promptly.
In a show of solidarity, traditional rulers and community stakeholders also lent their voices in support of the campaign. The Sultan of Sokoto, who was represented by the District Head of Gagi, commended the administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu for its proactive and people-centered approach to public health management.
Chairman of the WDC, Bala Sokoto, described the sensitisation effort as a groundbreaking move, being the first of its kind in the state in response to the current meningitis crisis. He noted that the outreach would be extended to affected local government areas in a bid to deepen community engagement and enhance grassroots disease prevention strategies.
Also present at the event were representatives of major global health organisations, including UNICEF and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), alongside local academic institutions. The Vice Chancellor of SAISA University of Medical Sciences and Technology, Professor Abdullahi Mainasara, applauded the initiative, describing it as a model for integrating education, public health, and stakeholder participation.
This campaign underscores Sokoto State’s unwavering commitment to promoting community health education and preventing large-scale outbreaks through timely intervention and collaborative effort.
