Deadly heat waves worsened by the absence of electricity supply to the Northeast state have resulted in medical emergencies that have claimed many lives.
Dr. Yusfu D. Ribadu, the Deputy Chairman Medical Advisory Committee, Training, Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital Yola, spoke to over the sudden spike in medical emergencies in recent times attributed the development to the heat waves rocking the state.
Though reports that over 200 persons have died over the past two weeks due to health emergencies caused by heat waves remain unconfirmed, Dr. Ribadu, however believes the situation is a repeat of what happened 37 years ago, being the last time the state experienced similar heat waves.
Ribadu disclosed to Arewa PUNCH that, “The last deadly heat waves recorded in the state occurred 37 years ago in 1987.”
He explained that without a steady electricity supply, residents would find it difficult to cope with the extreme weather conditions caused by the heat waves from the Sun.
reports that the collapse of the Transmission Company of Nigeria’s power lines connecting the North East with electricity supply has further compounded the suffocating heat situation.
Some reports had earlier claimed that over 200 residents died as a result of the harsh weather conditions, however, the state government has dismissed such reports.
The Commissioner for Health, Hon. Felix Tangwami, who debunked the death toll from the heat waves, said the report is not just only false but it falls below standard journalism ethics.
He said, “How can grave diggers know what caused the death of the people they are burying? The purported 200 deaths in two weeks, according to the report, and that they were buried in one cemetery, is ridiculous. No normal person can believe this kind of media report. “
The commissioner urged members of the public to disregard the reports, adding that the story lacked professional sources.
He clarified that the measles outbreak recorded in the state two weeks ago, which killed about 49 children occurred in communities that were not vaccine compliant.
However, some residents who are victims of the heat waves have continued to lament its impact.
Mr Sabo Umar, a tricycle operator, disclosed that three of his children are in the intensive care unit of the specialist hospital Yola and are undergoing treatment.
He narrated, “They just suddenly took ill with rashes all over their bodies and later started convulsing before we rushed all three to the hospital.”
A lecturer with the Federal College of Education Yola who pleaded anonymity, because he’s not authorised to speak with the media, said he has buried three family members between April and May.
According to him, “I lost an uncle, my mother and wife who will be buried on Tuesday, this week after their blood pressure shut up. And the doctors who looked after them said they suffered dehydration.”
When our correspondent visited the accident and emergency unit of the Specialist Hospital in Yola, he was told by a medical personnel (Name withheld) at the emergency room that since the onset of the heat period in the state which usually starts between March and May, no fewer than five to seven persons die from complications linked to the extreme Yola heat.
She said, “As I speak with you, between five to seven persons have died in the ward daily due to complications related to heat waves caused by extreme Yola sun.”
Meanwhile, Dr Ribadu, a medical expert, has further counselled residents to protect themselves by all means possible.
He said the current heat waves being experienced by the residents, is similar, to the events that occurred in 1987 during which several persons died.
