Kano deaths: 32 CSOs write FG, call for urgent intervention

Thirty-two civil society organisations working for the promotion and protection of human rights, good governance, rule of law in Nigeria have written an open letter to the federal government on the recent incidences of mysterious deaths in Kano state, calling for quick intervention

The letter was signed by the civil society organisations and made available to newsmen in Bauchi by the Executive Director of Prison Inmate Development Initiatives (PIDI Nigeria), Iliya Sabka, in Bauchi on Tuesday.

“We note with grave concern the unfolding situation in Kano state, which if not urgently and strategically addressed would lead to catastrophicc consequences for our country, and a reversal of the gains recorded in the fight against the pandemic by the Presidential Task Force in particular, and the country in general,” Sabka said.

The bodies observed in the letter that from recording its index case of COVID-19 on April 11, Kano state has now officially reported a total of 77 positive cases.

They noted that with the population of Kano state and its strategic position as the economic hub of the north, the situation portends grave danger if the state develops to become an epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The letter which was addressed to the secretary to the government of the federation and chairman, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, further noted that the recent decision by the Kano state government to repatriate thousands of ‘almajiris’ to their states of origin is an indication that the virus appears to have attained the level of community spreading.

The letter which recalled recent reports of deaths of approximately 640 people within one week in Kano due to ailments suspected to be COVID-19 related, accused the state government of not taking appropriate steps to determine the actual cause of the deaths.

The organisations while stating that the state could have made efforts to ascertain the actual cause of the fatality in Kano through the collection and testing of posthumous samples, however, alleged that the state government’s mechanism for responding to the pandemic lacks strategic leadership and institutional capacity.

“This is evidenced by the lack of test kits, well-equipped isolation centres and other medical infrastructure and the shutting-down of the National Centre for Disease Control Centre in the state as a result of infection of their numerous staff with the virus because of non-provision of personal protection equipment for frontline health workers,” the letter stated.

The civil organizations which appealed to the federal government to take concrete steps to support Kano state to address the anomalies and ensure that the health standards of Kano people are not compromised.

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Also, they called for the relocation of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to Kano state to provide the necessary leadership towards addressing situation.

In addition, they equally called for the deployment of qualified staff to boost testing, treatment and contact-tracing capabilities for the pandemic in the state and immediate reopening of the NCDC facilities in the state.

Other demands include the provision of adequate medical equipment, hygienic promotion materials and personal protection equipment for all frontline workers in line with international best practices, among others.