An outbreak of diarrhoea has claimed two lives in Bangi headquarters of Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.
The Permanent Secretary in the Health Ministry, Dr Ibrahim Chindo, said in Minna on Tuesday that only two persons died as a result of the outbreak of the disease, contrary to claims that eight persons lost their lives.
He said the ministry had deployed its personnel and medical supplies to the town to contain the possible spread of the disease and treat the victims free of charge.
“I have directed that a query be issued to the affected health officials for not reporting the outbreak to the ministry on time”.
“We have also advocated for the prompt report of any outbreak to the ministry, so that necessary investigations are carried out and medications supplied to the affected communities to contain the outbreak”.
Chindo said the situation had been brought under control, and that even those in the hospital wards had been treated and discharged, but promised that the ministry would investigate the root cause in order to forestall a reccurrence.
He appealed to the public to always clean their environment and wash their hands to avoid contacting such diseases, and report any outbreak to health facilities.
He announced that the treatment of diarrhoea was free in public health institutions.