*As UNICEF procured 1.2m vials to support quick response

The Federal Government has constituted an Emergency Taskforce to curb Diphtheria Outbreak in the country. Diphtheria cases have been detected in 13 states with Kano as the epicenter.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has procured 1.2 million vials as support to the Federal government’s response to the outbreak.

According to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, the Taskforce is to be co-chaired by the ED/EOC of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib and the Director General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa.

Other members of the Taskforce include Director of Public Health in the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Anyaike Chukwuma; representatives from World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Federal Ministry of Information and the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee on Primary Healthcare Delivery (NTLC).

The Taskforce, the Minister explained, was to operate in an emergency mode in order to forestall further spread to other states and bring succour to the populace.

In statement signed by the Special Assistant to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Media and External Relations, Tashikalmah Hallah, the Minister noted that there should be massive mobilization and sensitization. “This is where the NTLC is critical”, he said.

Adding: “Our people should be aware about the disease, the dangers inherent in it and what they need to do. We must mount rapid response as our children are returning to school. I am also glad that the ED/NPHCDA has shelved his trip to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), meetings in New York, to lead the rapid response team to Kano the epicenter of the crisis”, Prof Pate added.

Pate stated that the 14 infected states are, Lagos, Osun, Federal Captial Territory, Nassarawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Zamfara, Jigawa and Kano.

He urged the Taskforce team to liaise with the Governors of the 14 infected States for counterpart funding, ownership and mass mobilization.

During a meeting with the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, UNICEF Representative, Dr. Rownak Khan, announced that the global children body has procured 1.2 million vials as support to the Federal government’s response to the outbreak.

According to her, “We had a productive meeting with the Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate earlier toda, and I want to affirm UNICEF’s unwavering commitment to supporting the government’s comprehensive response to the diphtheria outbreak.

“I am pleased to announce that UNICEF on behalf of the government, has procured 1.2 million vials of the TD vaccine which arrived in Nigeria earlier today.

“These would be immediately dispatched to Kano, which is at the heart of this outbreak. Our collective aim is to safeguard the health and future of every child in Nigeria.”

Diphtheria is a highly contagious disease that spreads through airborne droplets or contaminated personal items.