Residents of Gundutse community in Kura Local Government area of Kano State are reeling under the weight of a mysterious illness that has claimed the lives of at least 30 people over the past month.
The state government’s response has been criticised as inadequate, leaving the community to fend for themselves in the face of an escalating health crisis.
Malam Isa Jibrin, representing the village head, expressed dismay at the government’s lack of intervention, noting that the community has been left to grapple with the unknown illness without any support.
With over 20 individuals succumbing to the illness, mostly children and elderly residents, the situation has become dire.
Jibrin’s personal losses underscore the severity of the crisis, with three of his relatives among the casualties.
Despite numerous appeals for help, including requests for medication to alleviate symptoms, the government’s response has been woefully insufficient.
Former Kura Local Government House leader, Idris Shehu Gundutsu, echoed the sentiments of the community, emphasising the need for urgent action from the authorities.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that despite initial visits from health officials, including sample collections, no concrete steps have been taken to address the root causes of the illness or provide essential medical assistance.
Malam Sale Gundutse, head of an Islamic school in the village, lamented the loss of five students and the hospitalisation of many more due to the illness.
He said that despite repeated pleas, the government’s inaction has left the community feeling abandoned and vulnerable.
Sa’adu Rabiu, another resident of the village, expressed his frustration with the health professionals’ actions.
“They closed the two major boreholes in our community, which serve as the primary water source. However, this decision is unfair. We have over two hundred water sources, including boreholes, wells, and various streams. Why restrict their investigation to only the boreholes when there are other potential sources, such as the streams?
“Furthermore, I doubt the accuracy of their results. The samples taken from the two boreholes may not be sufficient. Perhaps the disease originates from the community’s streams, which they neglected to test.
“To make matters worse, they haven’t even provided practical guidance for treating the sick. I personally spent over thirty thousand naira on treatment before my relative recovered. But what about those who lack the financial means? This is likely why we are experiencing such high casualties.
“For nearly a month, no one took action. Only recently did a government representative visited, yet they have not provided any solutions for treating the sick.”
However, a health official from Gundutse clinic, speaking anonymously, revealed that most patients diagnosed at the hospital were suffering from severe malaria, contradicting earlier reports of a mysterious disease.
In response to growing concerns, Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, downplayed the situation, attributing the illness to severe malaria exacerbated by the current heatwave.
The commissioner in a statement on Friday explained that the condition is related to the current heatwave in Kano.
“Following an investigation by our team dispatched to the affected village, it has been determined that the villagers are suffering from malaria.”
Dr Yusuf said an investigation revealed that there is no cause for panic, as the illness is merely a case of severe malaria.
He urged the public to take preventive measures against mosquito bites and to maintain cleanliness by clearing all drainage systems.
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