In response to the escalating diphtheria outbreak which has spread across 14 states, prompting criticism for its perceived delay, the Federal Government has established a Taskforce with a clear mission to quell community transmission and staunch further spread of this concerning health crisis.
The affected states encompass Lagos, Osun, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nassarawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Yobe, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Zamfara, Jigawa, and Kano.
Its leadership consists of Dr. Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa, Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), who will serve as co-chairs.
Comprising a diverse group of experts, the Taskforce also includes Dr. Anyaike Chukwuma, Director of Public Health in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, representatives from the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Federal Ministry of Information, and the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee on Primary Healthcare Delivery (NTLC).
Prof. Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, emphasized the critical importance of mobilization and sensitization, with a particular focus on the pivotal role played by NTLC in increasing public awareness of the disease’s risks and preventive measures.
He stated, “There should be massive mobilization and sensitization. This is where the NTLC is critical. Our people should be aware of the disease, understand its inherent dangers, and know what actions they need to take. We must launch a rapid response, especially with our children returning to school.”
In addition to the crucial role played by the Taskforce, the Minister highlighted the significance of collaboration between the governors of the affected states and the Taskforce in securing counterpart funding, promote ownership of the response, and drive mass mobilization.
Dr. Rownak Khan, UNICEF’s Representative, announced the procurement of 1.2 million vials of the Td vaccine in support of the government’s response to the outbreak. These vaccines will be expeditiously dispatched to Kano, aiming to safeguard the health and future of Nigerian children.
“We had a productive meeting with the Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, earlier today, and I want to affirm UNICEF’s unwavering commitment to supporting the government’s comprehensive response to the diphtheria outbreak,” Dr. Khan stated.
“UNICEF, on behalf of the government, has procured 1.2 million vials of the Td vaccine which arrived in Nigeria earlier today. These will be immediately dispatched to Kano, which is at the heart of this outbreak. Our collective aim is to safeguard the health and future of every child in Nigeria,” he added.