Eniola Yekini
The Kano State Government has inaugurated a Special Committee on Diphtheria Outbreak Response to strengthen efforts to contain reported cases and deaths from the disease across some Local Government Areas, particularly Rano LGA.
This was contained in a statement signed at the weekend by Nabilusi Abubakar Ahmad, Public Relations Officer, Kano State Ministry of Health.
The committee, chaired by the Director-General of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), Prof. Muhammad Adamu Abbas, is mandated to coordinate ongoing interventions, investigate reported cases and deaths, and prevent further spread of the disease to neighbouring local government areas.
Other members include the Director-General of the State Primary Healthcare Management Board (SPHCMB), Prof. Salisu A. Ibrahim; Executive Secretary, Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Mansur M. Nagoda; Director of Disease Control, SPHCMB, Dr. Tijjani Habibu; Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Dr. Ibrahim Aliyu Umar; and State Epidemiologist, KNCDC, Sulaiman Iliyasu Hamisu.
Representatives of the Kano, Rano, Karaye and Gaya Emirate Councils are also members, while Hussaini Rufai of the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit of KNCDC serves as secretary.
The committee is expected to conduct a comprehensive investigation to verify reported diphtheria cases and deaths in affected LGAs, strengthen disease surveillance and ensure daily reporting by Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers across the state.
It will also establish a centralised data registry for tracking suspected and confirmed cases, identify immunisation gaps through intensified community mobilisation and sensitisation, and ensure the availability and timely distribution of essential medical supplies to designated treatment centres.
According to the state government, the committee will work closely with health personnel in affected LGAs to facilitate rapid information sharing, early detection of cases, and effective management of the outbreak.
The government urged residents, community leaders and other stakeholders to cooperate with health authorities by promptly reporting suspected cases and supporting public health interventions.
The state government assured residents of its commitment to protecting public health and taking all necessary measures to contain the outbreak and prevent its spread to other parts of Kano.