Diphtheria: FG deploys 500,000 vaccine doses to Katsina, Kano

Nigeria's Federal Government has deployed 500,000 doses of diphtheria vaccines to Katsina and Kano states, responding to an outbreak of the disease among children. The government has also activated an emergency task force to contain the spread and strengthen public health measures.

The intervention, directed by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, includes strengthening disease surveillance, expanding access to treatment, and closing immunization gaps. The National Primary Health Care Development Agency distributed the vaccines to support intensified immunization activities in affected and at-risk areas.

The emergency task force, a collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the NPHCDA, state governments, and international health partners, will focus on three key areas: outbreak containment and immunization, expanded access to treatment, and emergency support for referral care. This includes conducting outbreak investigations, intensifying community sensitization, and establishing treatment annexes in hospitals to bring care closer to affected communities.

Specifically, the Katsina State Government was directed to establish treatment annexes in its three senatorial districts. The Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, identified as the principal referral center, will receive urgent support including Diphtheria Antitoxin, antibiotics, additional personnel, and personal protective equipment. The task force will coordinate efforts to ensure timely treatment and enhance surveillance to track the disease's spread.