By Ayodele Oni
Following outbreak of diphtheria in Katsina and Kano states, the Federal Government has deployed 500,000 doses of vaccines to Katsina and Kano states and activated a multi-agency emergency task force to contain outbreak of the disease affecting children in parts of the two states.
The intervention followed a directive by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, as the government intensified efforts to strengthen disease surveillance, close immunisation gaps and improve access to treatment in affected communities.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare revealed that the emergency response would be coordinated in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), affected state governments and international health partners.
According to the ministry, the task force will be co-chaired by the Director-General of the NCDC and the Director of Public Health.
Its membership includes representatives of the NPHCDA, the health commissioners of Katsina, Kano, Zamfara and Sokoto states, the World Health Organisation and UNICEF, as well as the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme in Katsina State.
The Chief Epidemiologist of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare will serve as the secretary of the task force.
The government said the team had been directed to immediately focus on outbreak containment, expanded immunisation, improved treatment access and emergency support for referral facilities.
“The Federal Government has activated an emergency task force to contain the outbreak of diphtheria among children in parts of Katsina and Kano States, with immediate measures being deployed to strengthen surveillance, close immunisation gaps and ensure timely access to treatment,” the ministry said.
“As part of the containment strategy, health authorities will conduct outbreak investigations, strengthen disease surveillance and intensify community sensitisation to ensure that unvaccinated children are reached.
“The NPHCDA has already deployed 500,000 doses of vaccines to Katsina and Kano to support intensified immunisation activities in affected and high-risk communities.
“As part of the immediate response, NPHCDA has deployed 500,000 doses of vaccines to Katsina and Kano States to support intensified immunisation activities in affected and at-risk communities.
“The Federal Government will also work with the Katsina State Government to establish treatment annexes in hospitals across the state’s three senatorial districts — Katsina, Daura and Funtua.
“The measure is aimed at bringing treatment closer to affected communities and ensuring early medical intervention for infected children.
“The government also announced emergency support for the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, which serves as a major referral centre for the state and parts of neighbouring states.
“The support will include the provision of Diphtheria Antitoxin, intravenous antibiotics, additional clinical personnel and personal protective equipment.
“The task force is expected to provide weekly updates to the Coordinating Minister on the progress of the response, emerging challenges and additional requirements, while critical bottlenecks will be escalated for immediate resolution.
“The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases and bringing the outbreak under control.
“The Federal Government reaffirms its resolve to protect Nigerian children from vaccine-preventable diseases and remains committed to a swift, coordinated and evidence-based response to bring the outbreak under control,” the ministry added.
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