BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, ABUJA – The Gombe State Rapid Response Taskforce on COVID-19 has absolved itself from blame over the concealment of the status of one of the traditional rulers in the state, Mai Tangale, Dr Abdu Buba Maisheru, who tested positive to COVID-19 infection 12 days ago.
Chairman of the Taskforce, Prof Idris Mohammed explained that the Committee did not make it public because the traditional ruler requested that his status be kept secret even though he received the required treatment in isolation within the Palace in Billiri at the initial stages.
Mohammed, who stated the position of the Taskforce while briefing journalists on Monday, said the Committee had to follow all protocols of confidentiality provided by health professionals’ ethics to keep a patient’s health records confidential until he gives permission for it to go public.
He also said; “The Mai Tangle had tested positive, but he has been treated and discharged. He was diagnosed 12 days ago and found positive but another result yesterday (Sunday 17th May) showed he was negative.
“He had to give us permission before we make it public and yesterday, he gave us that permission and there is nothing fishy about it.”
Prof Mohammed further explained that the Mai was kept in isolation in his Palace in Billiri town, Billiri LGA until few days later when he was taken to a hospital after he had started exhibiting some symptoms (cough).
He said the State currently has seven positive cases kept in isolation centres in Kwadon and the State Specialist Hospital pointing out that out of the 1,512 cases attended to in the State, 1,088 results were received out of which 960 were negative while 127 cases were positive just as there are 125 results that are being awaited.
