• Katsina health workers plan strike over unmet demands

There are concerns about the rising death toll from the diphtheria outbreak across the north, with the Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Nicholas Baamlong, disclosing to newsmen in Jos that the figure has risen to 23.

However, a man identified as Usman Sheidu, in Jos North Local Council Area, disclosed yesterday that four more victims have been recorded in the council, bringing the total to 27 deaths.

In the meantime, following the outbreak in communities in Rano Local Council Area and the conflicting casualty figures, the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) has urged traditional rulers across the emirates to intensify community sensitisation for residents to accept vaccines for diphtheria and other preventable diseases.

The Director-General of KNCDC, Prof. Muhammad Adamu-Abbas, made the call during a meeting with the district heads of the Kano Emirate Council.

Meanwhile, piqued by the expiration of their earlier 21-day ultimatum without what they described as any serious commitment from the state government towards resolving their longstanding demands, the Assembly of Health Care Professionals (AHAPN) in Katsina State has announced a seven-day warning strike beginning at midnight of Tuesday, September 8.

The announcement, addressed to the Office of the Head of Civil Service of Katsina State, comes as suspected diphtheria cases have been reported across 29 of the state’s 34 local councils.

Nevertheless, Baamlong said that identified patients were being placed on immediate quarantine at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and Plateau Specialist Hospital while they receive treatment, as part of efforts to contain the spread.

According to him, “so far, we have 143 suspected cases; we have had 23 deaths and nine currently on admission at JUTH and the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos.”

He added that the biggest challenges facing the ministry since the disease outbreak were late presentation and obtaining of antitoxin.

However, the KNCDC chief emphasised that increased vaccine uptake and prompt reporting of suspected cases would help halt the spread of diphtheria. He appealed to the traditional leaders to mobilise their communities to embrace vaccination and encourage residents to seek immediate medical attention whenever symptoms of illness are noticed.

Adamu-Abbas also urged them to caution traditional medicine practitioners and barbers against treating diphtheria cases, stressing that suspected patients should be immediately referred to health facilities.

In another development, the joint statement by the health workers’ unions noted that over the years, the state government has never demonstrated any form of seriousness over their overdue legitimate demands, despite admitting that their cries were justified.

The unions further warned of an indefinite strike if their demands were not addressed by the end of the warning period.