The Kano State House of Assembly has called on the state government to urgently intervene in a diphtheria outbreak that has reportedly claimed the lives of more than 50 children in Rano Local Government Area.
The member representing Rano Constituency, Hon. Ibrahim Malami, raised the alarm in a motion of urgent public importance presented before the House on Monday.
Malami said more than 50 children had died from the outbreak in Rurum A, Rurum B and Sabuwar Kaura communities, all located in Rurum Ward of the local government area.
He disclosed that the medical department of the local government had commenced emergency intervention, with support from his office through the provision of medical drugs.
The debate took a more disturbing turn when Usman Abubakar Tasiu, representing Kiru Constituency, disclosed that fresh infections had been recorded in Kwana Dangora, Dangora and Yelwa.
He recounted the death of two siblings from the same family within a single day, describing it as a painful reflection of the outbreak’s severity.
Concerned by the expanding spread, lawmakers proposed the creation of a coordinated emergency response committee to oversee surveillance, treatment, vaccination and public awareness across Rano, Kiru, Tudun Wada, Kibiya, Bunkure and Bebeji.
Also contributing, Saleh Ahmad of Dawakin Tofa Constituency cautioned that diphtheria spreads rapidly without widespread immunisation, calling for an aggressive vaccination campaign in vulnerable communities.
The Majority Leader, Lawan Husseini, urged the executive to activate the Kano State Health Protection Law, saying its provisions empower the government to provide free emergency healthcare and other extraordinary measures needed to contain infectious disease outbreaks.
