The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shu’aib, reports that more than 80 percent of children who succumbed to diphtheria or were hospitalized had not received routine childhood immunizations.
The head of the NPHCDA made this statement during his visit to the Diphtheria Treatment Center at Kano’s Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital on Wednesday.
He emphasized the need for parents to ensure that their children receive their vaccinations on schedule and urged caregivers to prioritize personal and environmental cleanliness while avoiding crowded spaces.
He said, “I implore every parent/caregiver to take proactive measures to protect their loved ones. Immunization is the most effective safeguard against diphtheria.”
He also urged people who are more likely to get diphtheria to get vaccinated right away, and asked the public to be patient, saying that the country will overcome the challenges posed by the disease.
He added that “we are using the crisis to strengthen the country’s health care system.”
The executive director acknowledged the existence of gaps in public understanding regarding vaccinations but assured the public that vaccination would not be obligatory, taking into consideration certain concerns raised by the public.
She said “Diptheria has had a significant impact on Nigeria, with more than 14,000 reported cases of the disease. The states are primarily responsible for 97 percent of cases in Kano, Katsina, Borno, Yobe, and Jigawa.”
Nevertheless, he expressed his contentment with the dedication of state governments to enhancing healthcare quality.
Shu’aib also took the opportunity to clarify that diphtheria is unrelated to COVID-19, elaborating that “diphtheria is triggered by bacteria, whereas COVID-19 is caused by viruses.”
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection caused by the Corynebacterium species, affecting an individual’s nose, throat, and occasionally the skin. Some symptoms of diphtheria encompass fever, a runny nose, a sore throat, cough, red eyes, neck swelling, and breathing difficulties.