In a bid to curtail diphtheria, a disease that poses a threat to both the nose and throat while making breathing hard for humans, that is recently spreading in Nigeria’s northern region, Kano, Yobe, and Katsina with the highest figure, a non-governmental organisation, Save the Children, launched a wide-scale health response in the state with the highest number of infections.
The diphtheria outbreak, which recently sparked more fears since the country recorded an increase in infections from July 2023, has a total of 5898 suspected cases from across about 59 local government areas as of August 2023, per data released by the World Health Organisation (WHO), as confirmed by the National Centre for Disease Control (NSCDC).
However, Save the Children discloses its effort in the most-hit Nigerian states with diphtheria outbreaks by deploying health experts and the supply chain to curtail the outbreaks.
We have also increased the staffing capacity of overstretched clinics for easy detection of diseases while also embarking on and supporting mass vaccination. The organisation’s emergency units stated this in a statement.
Currently, of Nigerian children under the age of 15, only 42% have a guarantee of being protected from the disease, and statistics also show that about 80% of confirmed cases of diphtheria come from the unvaccinated population.
Therefore, mass vaccination is crucial at this moment, and eradicating this menace can only be achieved by filling the gap in the vaccine shortage and ensuring the achievement of the target vaccinated population. The statement added
Although the Nigerian Ministry of Health has also released more data from both infected and death figures, which read 7,200 and 453 across the country, this week.
However, Faton Krasniqi, who serves as the Interim Country Director for Nigeria at Save the Children, emphasised the gravity of the situation, stating, “The entire humanitarian community is closely monitoring the diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria. We are actively collaborating and coordinating with the Nigerian Ministry of Health to ensure that we provide treatment to those in need and contain the spread of this disease.”
He went on to highlight the severe consequences of diphtheria, particularly in overcrowded displacement camps or informal settlements in cities, where access to healthcare is limited and facilities are overwhelmed. Krasniqi stressed that diphtheria can be fatal, with a mortality rate exceeding 10%, and this rate could rise in such challenging conditions.
Krasniqi further emphasised the need for urgent funding and a substantial supply of vaccines to effectively contain the outbreak and save children’s lives. Save the Children appealed to donors to support the comprehensive response led by the government, the United Nations, and aid organizations. Their goal is to bolster local health services, procure additional vaccines, and execute a widespread vaccination campaign.
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