By Damilola Samuel
The Federal Government has moved to contain a diphtheria outbreak reported in parts of Kano and Katsina States, ordering an emergency response focused on vaccination, surveillance and access to treatment.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, directed the activation of a multi-agency task force to coordinate the response and prevent further spread of the disease among children.
The task force brings together officials from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the affected states and international partners, including the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF.
According to the Federal Government, the immediate response will focus on identifying cases, strengthening surveillance and reaching children who have not been vaccinated.
As part of the intervention, 500,000 doses of diphtheria vaccines have been deployed to Kano and Katsina to support intensified immunisation in affected and high-risk communities.
The government is also working with the Katsina State Government to expand access to treatment by establishing treatment annexes in hospitals across the three senatorial districts of the state.
The annexes will be located in Katsina, Daura and Funtua to enable patients to receive care closer to their communities and reduce delays in treatment.
Attention will also be given to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, which serves as a major referral centre for the state and neighbouring areas.
The government said emergency supplies, including Diphtheria Antitoxin (DAT), intravenous antibiotics and personal protective equipment, would be mobilised to the hospital.
Additional clinical personnel will also be provided to strengthen its capacity to manage patients.
The task force will be co-chaired by the Director-General of NCDC and the Director of Public Health, while the Ministry’s Chief Epidemiologist will serve as secretary. Health commissioners from Katsina, Kano, Zamfara and Sokoto States are also members of the team.
The Federal Government said the task force would submit weekly reports to the Coordinating Minister, highlighting progress, challenges and areas requiring urgent intervention.
The government urged continued cooperation with health authorities as it intensifies efforts to close immunisation gaps and protect children from the vaccine-preventable disease.
It reaffirmed its commitment to a “swift, coordinated and evidence-based response” aimed at bringing the outbreak under control.
