The Federal Government has deployed 500,000 doses of vaccines to Katsina and Kano states as part of urgent measures to contain a diphtheria outbreak affecting children in the two states.
The development followed a directive by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, for the activation of an emergency multi-agency task force to coordinate efforts to halt the spread of the disease.
The task force comprises officials of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), affected state governments and international health partners.
It will be co-chaired by the Director-General of the NCDC and the Director of Public Health, with the Chief Epidemiologist of the ministry serving as secretary.
Members include representatives of NPHCDA, the Commissioners for Health in Katsina, Kano, Zamfara and Sokoto states, the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme in Katsina State.
The government said the emergency response would focus on three major areas: outbreak containment and immunisation, expanded access to treatment and emergency support for referral care.
The 500,000 vaccine doses deployed by NPHCDA will be used to intensify immunisation of unvaccinated children in affected and high-risk communities.
The task force has also been directed to strengthen disease surveillance, conduct outbreak investigations and intensify community sensitisation to close immunity gaps.
In Katsina State, the Federal Government said it would work with the state government to establish treatment annexes in hospitals across the three senatorial districts — Katsina, Daura and Funtua.
The move is aimed at bringing treatment closer to affected communities and ensuring early intervention for suspected and confirmed cases.
The Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, will also receive emergency support as the principal referral centre for the state and parts of neighbouring states.
The support is expected to include Diphtheria Antitoxin (DAT), intravenous antibiotics, additional clinical personnel and personal protective equipment for healthcare workers.
The task force will submit weekly updates to the Coordinating Minister on the progress of the response, emerging challenges and additional requirements.
The Federal Government said identified bottlenecks would be escalated for immediate resolution as part of efforts to bring the outbreak under control.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigerian children from vaccine-preventable diseases through a swift, coordinated and evidence-based response.
