The Kaduna State Ministry of Health on Saturday inaugurated a diphtheria reactive vaccination exercise across the state.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Umma Ahmed, said the vaccination would take place across the 23 local government areas (LGAs) of the state from Sept. 12 to 17.
Ahmed said the state believed in preventive measures because diphtheria was highly contagious.
“We are here to flag off the diphtheria outbreak response. We are all aware that in so many states, diphtheria is present and is affecting many children, especially young ones.
“In Kaduna State, we believe in a preventive approach. We have reactivated our rapid response team, and they are already in villages, markets and everywhere, sensitising residents.
“We are also using social media, radio and television to sensitise people and help them understand the need to be proactive whenever their children show symptoms of diphtheria.”
According to her, the state had five suspected cases at the Infectious Disease Centre (IDC) and two in Rigasa, although one had been discharged and another was stable.
She added that the state had secured everything it needed, with the support of the governor, to tackle the challenge.
“We don’t want any child to die from diphtheria in the state. We don’t want a situation where we start closing our schools and running helter-skelter.
“So, we have all the structures in place to ensure that we are safe and our children are safe, by the grace of God.”
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Primary Health Care Board, Prof. Bello Jamo, said the exercise was a response to cases recorded in some local government areas of the state, particularly Kaduna North.
Bello said symptoms of diphtheria included fever, weakness and red eyes.
“In extreme cases, the child will begin to have flu-like symptoms and catarrh; some will start sneezing, while others will be coughing.
“But the one point that we don’t want to reach is when the child begins to have difficulty breathing. At that point, it is critical, and anything is possible.
“We’re using this opportunity to be proactive, sensitise the public and encourage them to bring their children for vaccination. They should also be conversant with the initial signs and symptoms so that the disease does not progress to the late stages,” he said.
Earlier, in a welcome speech, Mansur Idris-Martawoli of UNICEF said the government always bore the greatest burden when dealing with such crises.
He assured the government of UNICEF’s support, alongside other partners, in the exercise.
In his remarks, the District Head of Kawo, Jibrin Magaji, assured the state government of the support of traditional rulers in mobilising the public for the immunisation exercise.
Represented by Ashiru Wada, the Village Head of Kwaru, Magaji said they would embark on continuous sensitisation and ensure that every mother or caregiver presented their child or children for immunisation.
