By Aminu Garko
The Kano State Government has inaugurated a Special Committee on Diphtheria Outbreak Response as part of efforts to strengthen the fight against the disease in the state.
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Inaugurating the committee, the Commissioner for Health, Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, said it was established to ensure a stronger and coordinated response to diphtheria and to prevent its further spread across the state.
The commissioner said diphtheria is a highly contagious disease that can spread quickly within communities, noting that the disease has remained a public health concern in Kano State since December 2022. He stressed that urgent and collective action was needed to protect communities and save lives.
Yusuf identified vaccination and early medical attention as key measures in controlling the disease. He urged parents and caregivers to ensure that every eligible child receives the required vaccination and to take anyone suspected of having diphtheria to the nearest health facility for treatment.
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He said members of the committee were selected based on their experience and competence, adding that they are expected to ensure early reporting of suspected cases, stronger surveillance, proper registration of cases, vaccination in areas with low coverage, and effective follow-up and referral of suspected patients for treatment.
The commissioner further said the committee includes representatives from the state government, local government councils and emirate councils, to ensure a coordinated response and effective action at the community level.
He charged members to work with commitment and dedication to fulfil the responsibility entrusted to them, stressing that their collective efforts would be critical to reducing the spread of diphtheria and protecting residents of Kano State.
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Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Committee and Director General of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control, KNCDC, Muhammad Adamu Abbas, assured that the committee would do everything possible to achieve its mandate. He said the committee would work closely with relevant stakeholders to strengthen surveillance, vaccination and response activities across the state.
The government said the inauguration demonstrates its commitment to protecting the health of citizens and ensuring a timely and effective response to disease outbreaks.
