By Aideloje Ojo
Minna
The Niger state Commissioner of Health, Dr Murtala Muhammad Bagana, said at the weekend that the outbreak of Diphtheria disease in parts of the has been curtailed having discharged 103 patients out of 124 admitted cases while 17 deaths were recorded.
The Commissioner stated this in a media parley in Minna, adding that only one patient is currently on admission.
He said, “government has strengthened disease surveillance, case management, immunisation and public awareness to contail the disease and prevent further transmission”.
Bagana expressed dismay over the attitude of parents who deprived their children immunization vaccinations to prevent childhood diseases such as diphtheria, measles and other vaccine-preventable infections, adding that, “this was mainly responsible for the spread of the Diphtheria disease outbreak in the state”.
“However , the spread of the disease has been curtailed in Bida, Suleja and Shiroro local governments of the state. I can confirm that 124 cases of infection in three local government areas were recorded in the last seven months and 103 people have been treated and discharged. Unfortunately, 17 people died”.
The commissioner explained that government in collaboration with partners has given priority to immunization against all childhood diseases adding that, ” Vaccines are also available free of charge at all Primary Healthcare Centres in the state, I therefore urge parents and caregivers to ensure that their children received the recommended vaccines”.
He insisted that preventing children from getting immunization vaccination is a criminal offence adding that government is going to prosecute parents involved in such acts.
