Diphtheria: Kaduna launches mass immunisation campaign
The Kaduna State Ministry of Health on Saturday inaugurated a diphtheria reactive vaccination exercise in the state.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Umma Ahmed said the vaccination will take place across the 23 LGAs of the state and will run from Sept. 12 to 17.
Ahmed said the state believes in preventive measures because the disease is highly contagious.
“We are here to flag-off the diphtheria outbreak response. We are all aware that in so many states diphtheria is there and it is affecting so many children, especially the young kids.
“In Kaduna State, we believe in a preventive approach. We have reactivated our rapid response team, they are already in villages, markets, and everywhere sensitising residents.
“We are also on social media, radio and television sensitising people to make them understand that there is need for them to be proactive whenever their children are seen with symptoms of this diphtheria.
According to her, the state has five suspected cases in the Infectious Disease Center (IDO) and two in Rigasa, but one has been discharged. One is stable.
She added that the state has gotten all it needs with the support of the Governor to face the challenge.
“We don’t want any child to die due to diphtheria in the state. We don’t want a situation whereby 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, Primary Health Care Board, Prof. Bello Jamo said the exercise is a response to some cases in some local government areas in the state, particularly Kaduna North.
Bello said symptoms of diphtheria include fever, weakness and red eyes.
“At extreme cases, the child will begin to have symptoms of flu, catarrh, some will start sneezing, some will be coughing.
“But the one point that we don’t want to reach is the point where the child would begin to have difficulty breathing. At that point, it’s critical, and anything is possible at this point.
“We’re using this opportunity to be proactive to sensitise the public to come with their children to have this vaccination, and to be conversant with the initial signs and symptoms so that it doesn’t get to the late stages,” he said.
Earlier in a welcome speech , Mansur Idris -Martawoli from UNICEF said the government is always taking the highest burden when it comes to such a crisis.
He assured the support of UNICEF of and other partners in supporting the exercise.
In his remarks, the District Head of Kawo, Alhaji Jibrin Magaji assured the support of traditional rulers in mobilising the public on the immunisation.
Represented by Ashiru wada, the Village Head of Kwaru, Magaji said they will embark on continuous sensitisation and ensure every mother/caregiver presents her child/children for the immunisation.