The Niger State Government has convened town hall meetings for 350 community, traditional and religious leaders across several local government areas following the detection of three new polio cases and multiple diphtheria infections in the state.
The State Immunization Officer, Abubakar Kpantu disclosed the new cases during a public health emergency prevention and response meeting organised by the State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United States Government.
According to Kpantu, the three polio cases were recorded in Magama and Mariga Local Government Areas, while diphtheria cases were detected in Bida, Chanchaga and Suleja LGAs.
“For years, we had not recorded any cases of polio, but recently, three cases were detected in Mariga and Magama LGAs while other cases of diphtheria have been recorded in Suleja, Bida and Chanchaga LGAs,” Kpantu said.
He noted that the meetings, held in Bida, Bosso, Chanchaga, Gbako, Gurara, Kontagora and Suleja LGAs, aim to strengthen community awareness, vigilance and preparedness against possible disease outbreaks.
“This calls for increased vigilance and renewed commitments to routine immunization and community awareness,” Kpantu added.
He said health authorities are closely monitoring the possibility of cholera and other communicable disease outbreaks as the rainy season progresses.
UNICEF Social and Behaviour Change State Facilitator, Adamu Mamba, emphasised the importance of early disease detection, prompt reporting of suspected cases, and adherence to public health guidelines.
Mamba highlighted the critical role of traditional, religious and community leaders in strengthening public health emergency response through effective Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE).
He urged participants to promote vaccine acceptance, support outbreak response efforts, disseminate accurate health information and counter misinformation using trusted community voices.
The meetings brought together health stakeholders, development partners and residents to discuss strategies for preventing and responding to public health emergencies, including meningitis, measles, diphtheria, cholera, Mpox and other diseases.
