Sokoto: The Sokoto State government has warned residents of Tureta Local Government Area against seeking treatment from local barbers for suspected cases of metal poisoning. Dr Faruk Abubakar, the State Commissioner for Health, issued the warning while presenting government-provided drugs for patients at General Hospital, Tureta.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr Abubakar, represented by the Executive Director of the State Hospital Services Management Board, Dr Bello Attahiru, expressed concern over the practice of some local barbers making incisions on patients’ stomachs as a supposed treatment method. He emphasized that the treatment of complicated infections should not be based on speculation but requires expert medical intervention and laboratory-certified experience. He urged residents to stop such practices immediately and instead take affected individuals to the hospital at the first sign of illness.
He further assured that medications would be supplied to all general hospitals treating suspected metal poisoning cases across the state. Receiving the drugs, the Chairman of Tureta LGA, Alhaji Aliyu Tureta, acknowledged the timely intervention. He assured that the council would ensure the proper distribution and usage of the drugs while highlighting the initial steps taken by the council to address the situation.