By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano
Kano state government has constituted a Special Committee on Diphtheria Outbreak Response, following reports of diphtheria cases and deaths in some Local Government Areas of the state, with particular concern over the situation in Rano Local Government Area.
The Committee was saddled with the responsibility of to strengthening and coordinating ongoing response efforts, conducting a comprehensive assessment of the outbreak, and taking immediate measures to prevent further spread of the disease to neighbouring Local Government Areas.
The Special Committee is chaired by the Director-General of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) while the Director-General of the State Primary Healthcare Management Board (SPHCMB), Prof. Salisu A. Ibrahim, serves as a member.
Other members of the committee include the Executive Secretary, Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Mansur M. Nagoda; Director of Disease Control, SPHCMB, Dr. Tijjani Habibu; Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Dr. Ibrahim Aliyu Umar; State Epidemiologist, KNCDC, Sulaiman Iliyasu Hamisu; representatives of the Kano, Rano, Karaye and Gaya Emirate Councils; while Hussaini Rufai, M&E, KNCDC, serves as Secretary.
The Committee has been mandated to conduct a comprehensive outbreak investigation to verify reported diphtheria cases and deaths across affected LGAs, while strengthening disease surveillance systems and ensuring daily reporting by Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers across the State.
It will also establish a centralized data registry for effective tracking of suspected and confirmed cases, identify immunisation gaps through intensified community mobilisation and sensitisation, and ensure the availability and timely supply of essential medical commodities to designated treatment centres.
In addition, the committee will work closely with health personnel in affected Local Government Areas to ensure a seamless and coordinated response, rapid information sharing, early detection of cases and effective management of the outbreak.
A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the state Ministry of Health, Nabilusi Abubakar Ahmad, indicated that the state government urged residents, community leaders and other stakeholders to cooperate fully with health authorities by promptly reporting suspected cases and supporting ongoing public health interventions.
The government reassured the people of Kano state that it remains committed to protecting the health and wellbeing of its citizens and will continue to take all necessary measures to contain the outbreak and prevent its further spread across the state.
Meanwhile, the KNCDC has also mobilized traditional rulers across the four Emirates in the state to intensify community sensitization for acceptance of diphtheria vaccine and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
Prof. Adamu-Abbas, on Wednesday, engaged District Heads and Ward Heads, under the Kano Emirate Council, urging them to use their influence and position towards ensuring that Kano people accept the diphtheria vaccines.
Adamu-Abbas further underscored the advantages of vaccines, urging the traditional institution to support efforts aimed at stopping the spread of diphtheria through increased vaccination and prompt reporting of suspected cases.
He said many of the diphtheria cases recorded in the state involve children who had not received routine immunisation, sought treatment from chemists or traditional healers, or were brought late to health facilities.
Adamu-Abbas also appealed to the traditional rulers to mobilise communities to embrace vaccination and encourage residents to seek immediate medical attention whenever symptoms of illness are noticed.
He urged them to caution traditional medicine practitioners and barbers against attempting to treat diphtheria cases, stressing that suspected patients should be referred immediately to health facilities.
In his remarks on behalf of the District Heads, Dankadai of Kano, Dr Bashir Dankadai, assured KNCDC of the traditional institution’s commitment to supporting the campaign against diphtheria.
Dankadai said District Heads (Hakimai) would engage village heads (Dagatai), who would in turn mobilise ward heads (Masu Unguwan) to sensitise residents on vaccination and early presentation at health facilities.
He added that traditional healers, particularly barbers (Wanzamai), would be warned against interfering with diphtheria treatment or carrying out any form of traditional surgical intervention on affected persons.
He reaffirmed the readiness of the traditional leaders to work closely with KNCDC to curb the spread of the disease across the state.
Our Correspondent reports that KNCDC had requested for urgent supply of nine million doses of vaccines to curtail the spread of the infectious disease across the state.
However, the Federal Ministry of Health has deployed 500,000 doses of vaccines and a Special Task Force to coordinate rapid surveillance and response efforts in Kano and Katsina states.
