By FOLASADE AKPAN

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has activated an emergency task force to contain diphtheria outbreak among children in parts of Katsina and Kano States.

This is contained in a statement on Friday in Abuja by Ado Bako, Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

It said the ministry constituted the task force in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), affected states and international partners.

It said the measure was to strengthen surveillance, close immunisation gaps and ensure timely access to treatment.

“As part of the immediate response, NPHCDA has deployed 500,000 doses of vaccines to Katsina and Kano states to support intensified immunisation activities in affected and at-risk communities.”

According to the statement, the task force would be co-chaired by the Director-General of NCDC and the Director of Public Health, with members drawn from NPHCDA, Commissioners for Health in Katsina, Kano, Zamfara and Sokoto states, WHO, UNICEF and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme in Katsina.

It said the ministry’s Chief Epidemiologist will serve as Secretary of the task force.

It said the task force had been directed to immediately strengthen outbreak investigation and disease surveillance, intensify community sensitisation and immunise unvaccinated children in affected and at-risk communities.

The statement added that the task force would work with the Katsina State Government to establish treatment annexes in hospitals across the state’s three senatorial districts — Katsina, Daura and Funtua.

It further said urgent support would be mobilised to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, the principal referral centre for the state and parts of neighbouring states.

It said the support would include Diphtheria Antitoxin (DAT), intravenous antibiotics, additional clinical personnel and personal protective equipment (PPE).

According to the statement, the task force will provide weekly updates to the Coordinating Minister on progress, emerging challenges and additional requirements.

It said identified bottlenecks would be escalated for immediate resolution, adding that the Federal Government remained committed to protecting Nigerian children from vaccine-preventable diseases.

It also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a swift, coordinated and evidence-based response to bring the outbreak under control. (NAN)