The Africa Youth Growth Foundation (AYGF), has called for immediate action to address the alarming levels of heavy metal poisoning in the Gaidau settlement of Gidan Katta ward, Illela Local Government Area in Sokoto.

Presenting the report at the WASH in Emergency Working Group meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, Imaga Oji, AYGF’s Programme Officer for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), noted the urgent need for interventions.

She called for comprehensive public health interventions and long-term solutions to tackle the crisis.

“Our investigation aimed to identify the source and extent of the contamination, assess the community’s health facilities and sanitation conditions, and recommend measures to address the issue,” Oji stated.

She said that the investigation was prompted by NCDC and Red Cross’s reports of heavy metal poisoning in Isa, Sabon Birni, and Illela LGAs in April 2024.

She said the symptoms, which first appeared in February, included fever, abdominal swelling, vomiting, and headaches.

These, she noted have tragically resulted in 35 cases and 8 deaths, predominantly among children.

“Our findings indicate that the health facility in Gaidau is not equipped to handle this crisis. The facility has recorded 35 cases with 8 deaths, primarily among children.

“This community urgently needs enhanced medical support and better-equipped healthcare facilities,” Oji said.

She identified major challenges in Gaidau, such as limited access to safe water and inadequate healthcare services, noting that the predominantly agrarian community relies heavily on potentially contaminated local wells.

Oji said AYGF had initiated several public health actions to combat the crisis, including the activation of an Incident Management System to coordinate efforts with government and partners.

She mentioned additional actions like improving data management, raising community awareness, and implementing healthcare interventions such as establishing case management centres and training healthcare workers.

She said to address the crisis, AYGF had made several key recommendations including the provision of medical support and treatment for affected individuals.

She added that long-term solutions, such as constructing boreholes using reverse osmosis or activated charcoal, are being implemented.

“We are improving sanitation and hygiene facilities, implementing community-wide health and hygiene education programmes.

“We are working on further investigations by monitoring and testing of water, soil, and food items.

“We are carrying out investigation into potential sources of heavy metal contamination, including environmental and agricultural practices.

“Our priority is to provide immediate health interventions and develop long-term solutions to prevent such crises in the future.

“We are committed to working with government bodies and partner organisations to ensure that the residents of Gaidau have access to safe water and adequate healthcare.”

She, however, said that AYGF would continue its research in the field, gathering more data to comprehensively address the issue.

Oji added that immediate and sustained efforts were crucial to mitigate the health impacts on the Gaidau settlement and prevent further tragedies. (NAN)