By Muhammad Amaan
The Kano State Government has constituted a Special Committee on Diphtheria Outbreak Response following reported cases and deaths in some Local Government Areas.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Public Relations Officer of the state Ministry of Health, Nabilusi Ahmad, the outbreak has particularly affected Rano Local Government Area.
He said the committee would strengthen and coordinate ongoing response efforts while conducting a comprehensive assessment of the outbreak.
It would also implement immediate measures to prevent further spread of diphtheria to neighbouring Local Government Areas.
The committee is chaired by the Director-General, Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), Professor Muhammad Adamu Abbas.
The Director-General of the State Primary Healthcare Management Board (SPHCMB), Professor Salisu A. Ibrahim, is a member of the committee.
While other members include; Executive Secretary, Hospitals Management Board, Dr Mansur M. Nagoda, and Director of Disease Control, SPHCMB, Dr Tijjani Habibu.
Others are; Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Dr Ibrahim Aliyu Umar, and the State Epidemiologist, KNCDC, Sulaiman Iliyasu Hamisu.
Representatives of the Kano, Rano, Karaye and Gaya Emirate Councils are also members, while KNCDC Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Hussaini Rufai will serve as secretary.
The spokesperson said the committee had been mandated to investigate reported diphtheria cases and deaths across affected Local Government Areas.
It would strengthen disease surveillance systems and ensure daily reporting by Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers across the state.
Ahmad said the committee would establish a centralised data registry to track suspected and confirmed cases effectively and identify immunisation gaps.
It would achieve this through intensified community mobilisation and sensitisation, while ensuring timely availability of essential medical commodities at designated treatment centres.
He added that the committee would collaborate with health personnel in affected Local Government Areas for a coordinated response.
He said it would facilitate rapid information sharing, early detection of cases and effective management of the outbreak, the statement said.
He urged residents, community leaders and other stakeholders to cooperate with health authorities by promptly reporting suspected cases.
The spokesperson also appealed for support for ongoing public health interventions aimed at containing the outbreak.
“The state government remains committed to protecting public health and taking all necessary measures to contain the outbreak,” he said.
He added that efforts would continue to prevent further spread of the disease across the state.
