By MARY ALIYU

The Niger State government has recorded 124 cases of diphtheria, resulting in 17 deaths, between January and August.

Dr Murtala Bagana, the state’s Commissioner for Health, disclosed this on Friday during an interactive session with newsmen in Minna.

Bagana said that three new cases had been recorded, while 74 patients had been treated and discharged.

He described diphtheria as a deadly but vaccine-preventable disease, stressing that strengthening routine immunisation was critical to reducing outbreaks and deaths.

“Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease and, as a vaccine-preventable disease, if we strengthen our immunisation, which we are currently doing, you will see that this outbreak of a series will go down,” he said.

The commissioner said that the state had intensified immunisation campaigns, including two mass vaccination campaigns conducted so far in 2026.

He said the government was also deploying communication strategies involving traditional and religious leaders to encourage residents to embrace vaccination.

According to him, all vaccines are available free of charge at public health facilities across the state.

He urged parents to ensure that their children were vaccinated to protect them and prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases.

“You owe a responsibility to vaccinate and immunise your children so as not to infect others,” Bagana said.

The commissioner also disclosed that the state had recorded 21 suspected cases of measles, nine of which were confirmed.

He said that an isolation centre had been completed to strengthen the state’s capacity to respond to infectious diseases.

Bagana added that the government was improving access to water and primary healthcare facilities, particularly in communities affected by open defecation and poor sanitation.

He further announced that victims of snake bites and accidents could receive free treatment within 24 hours at all state-owned hospitals, provided they presented their National Identification Number (NIN).

He, however, said those who reported more than 48 hours after sustaining the injuries would not benefit from the free treatment.

The commissioner also disclosed that more than 370 people underwent eye surgeries during a recent medical outreach in Minna, while more than 1,500 people received eyeglasses and about 500 others were given walking sticks.

Bagana urged residents to maintain proper environmental sanitation and boil water obtained from streams, rivers and rainwater sources before consumption to guard against cholera.

He said the government was strengthening healthcare services and upgrading major hospitals, including the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Specialist Hospital and general hospitals across the state.

He said that the measures were part of efforts to improve access to quality healthcare services for residents. (NAN)

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