Senate wants Health Ministry to immunise Nigerians against diphtheria

Following the death of 20 persons in Kaduna State, the Nigerian Senate has urged the Federal Ministry of Health to begin immunising vulnerable Nigerians against Diphtheria.

The Senate decision followed a motion in plenary on Wednesday sponsored by Sen. Sunday Katung (PDP PDP- Kaduna -South) notifying the red chamber of the deaths of 20 people in Kafanchan and Makarfi local government areas of Kaduna State.

Diphtheria is a potentially fatal infection caused by toxin-producing bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae. It can cause trouble breathing, heart rhythm disorders, and even death.

Katung stated that the index case of a four-year-old male child whose illness began on July 4 in Jema’a Local Government Area (LGA) resulted in the deaths of around 20 persons.

“Further, the Kaduna State Government has confirmed that the death toll from the diphtheria outbreak in the state has risen to 17, with 68 suspected cases identified across the state as of Sunday, July 23, 2023.”

“Also notes that a breakdown shows that ten people died from the disease in Kafanchan, Jema’a LGA of Kaduna State, three died in Makarfi LGA, and seven others were hospitalised.”

“Be aware that diphtheria is a highly contagious, infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Corynebacterium diphtheria, which causes serious breathing and swallowing problems as well as skin sores in infected people.”

The congressman expressed fear that because the disease is highly contagious, it may spread at a terrible rate in rural communities unless prompt and coordinated efforts are made to stop it.

He stated that Nigeria’s recent experiences with the Ebola virus and the Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated why virus epidemics must be combated using the strongest biomedical and scientific instruments and knowledge available.

Sen. Ibrahim Khalid (PDP-Kaduna), who seconded the resolution, also stated that the sickness was hazardous and lethal.

Khalid stated that the disease’s spread was larger, and that instead of focusing on the five affected LGAs, the government should take a more holistic approach.

According to him, Jama’a and Makarfi LGAs share borders with Kano and Katsina, while Jama’a LGA shares borders with Nasarawa and Plateau state.

He stated that containing the sickness in the communities will assist to prevent the loss of lives.

Sen. Tony Nwoye (LP- Anambra North) described the sickness as infectious and dangerous, similar to Ebola and COVID-19.

He stated that the pathogen was extremely resistant, and that the government must deliver the vaccination promptly.

Sen. Darlington Nwokocha called the proposal a wake-up call, adding that the Senate should scrutinise the health-care budget.

Sen Diket Plang stated that the nature of the disease was extremely dangerous, adding that the season was one in which people interacted and the disease might be transferred by contact.

Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate, who commended Katung for the motion, said immunisation would save lives and keep the country from becoming a pandemic.

“This one has a preventable solution.” “Everyone should be up and doing something to prevent this disease from becoming a pandemic,” Akpabio stated.

In addition, the Senate instructed the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA) to coordinate with the Kaduna State Ministry of Health and other states for major immunisations against the disease.

It asked for a search for active diphtheria cases with contact tracing, risk communication activities, and the transfer of afflicted cases to health facilities for management.

It also directed the Federal Ministry of Health to coordinate with the Kaduna State Ministry of Health in order to send health personnel to impacted regions and increase monitoring across Kaduna State’s 23 LGAs and surrounding states. (NAN)