By Arret Jatta
The latest situation report issued by the Ministry of Health, on Friday 23rd August, on the prevalence of the ‘Kush’ drug in the Gambia has highlighted that The Gambia has registered one hundred and twenty nine cases of ‘Kush’ at the moment.
“From the last sitrep, thirteen (13) new clinical cases have been reported from Health facilities bringing the total to 139 cases, 9.4% increase. There are two (2) new reported “Kush” associated suspected deaths from health facilities bringing the total number of deaths to thirteen (13) with a case fatality rate of (CFR)-9.4%,” the report says.
The report also states that in early February 2024, the Epidemiology and Disease Control (EDC) Programme was notified of an upsurge in cases of suspected drug and substance abuse known locally as ‘Kush’ in the western-1 health region.
“All the cases presented with pain, swollen tongue and lips, drooling saliva, and restlessness. As of 14 July 2024, 126 cases and 11 associated deads were reported with a case fatality rate of 8.7% in The Gambia,” the report disclosed.
Additionally, the situation report also highlighted the clinical cases reported from ten health facilities.
“Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH), KanifingGeneral Hospital (KGH), Serrekunda, Sukuta, Banjulinding, Brufut, Essau District Hospital, Ndemban Clinic, New YundumHealth Center and Bundung Maternal and Child Health. However, KGH reported the highest (52.5%) of the cases followed by EFSTH (29.5%),” as stated in the report.
It further stated that almost all cases were male 96% with a median age 22 years which also shows that 55.4% of cases are below 22 years of age.
Meanwhile, the report recommended that government and partners should provide funding for the activities outlined by the taskforce.
“Regional Health Directorates and health facility staff should ensure that the recording of patient registers/folders is completed. The task force should update the case definition and data reporting tools,” MOH recommended in the report.