Confirmation has been made by officials of Maigatari Local Government Council of Jigawa State regarding the demise of six individuals due to suspected cases of meningitis.
In an interview with NewsNow, Abdullahi Muhammad, the local government Primary Health Care manager, affirmed this development.
He mentioned that the council has identified over 38 confirmed cases of meningitis, with six fatalities reported.
These cases have been reported across 10 political wards in the area.
Moreover, Muhammed stated that a target of 210,455 individuals aged between 1-29 has been set for vaccination.
The council chairman, Uzairu Nadabo, also verified this information, indicating that the LG has finalized all necessary arrangements for a robust meningitis vaccine campaign.
“We have meticulously planned and coordinated, holding stakeholder meetings and conducting advocacy visits to traditional and religious leaders to gain support and raise awareness for the vaccination campaign,” he mentioned.
He went on to say, “A task force team has been established, comprising security agencies, traditional leaders, and community representatives, to ensure compliance and oversee the smooth execution of the vaccination.”
“To combat vaccine hesitancy, targeted interventions have been carried out in Baskari village, where resistance was observed,” he added.
Uzairu highlighted that Maigatari LGA has made substantial investments in logistics and storage facilities, including the repair of deep freezers, and has ensured a consistent power supply to maintain vaccine efficacy.
He emphasized that with effective planning, community engagement, and logistical support, the local government is well-positioned to successfully execute the vaccination campaign and alleviate the impact of the outbreak.