Increasing public awareness, key to containing Diphtheria – Expert

Dr Ejike Oji, the Chairman, Technical Management Committee, Association for
the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP), has called for increased public awareness to contain the outbreak of diphtheria in Nigeria.

He made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

He explained that community engagements and access to healthcare was paramount in containing the disease.

He added that “steps to be taken to contain outbreaks of diphtheria include increasing public awareness and community engagement.

“Access to health care, improving personal hygiene and reducing over crowding.”

The medical practitioner said that provision of vaccinations for at-risk children was imperative.

He also called for strengthening of the country’s surveillance systems in order to tackle the menace.

Oji, who commended the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for working with states to monitor suspected cases
of diphtheria, said it was necessary to provide rapid response teams.

According to him, there should be reactive vaccinations in areas of outbreaks.

“I know for sure that the FCT public health department in Abuja is already doing this.”

Newsmen reports that Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that usually affects the mucous membranes
of the nose and throat.

Diphtheria can be treated with medications. But in advanced stages, diphtheria can damage the heart, kidneys and nervous system.

Even with treatment, diphtheria can be deadly, especially in children.