Kano Government Sets Up Special Committee To Curb Diphtheria Cases, Deaths | Sahara Reporters

The intervention followed reports of the disease in several local government areas, with Rano Local Government Area reportedly among the areas of particular concern.

The Kano State government has launched an emergency response to diphtheria cases and deaths in parts of the state, constituting a special committee to investigate the situation and coordinate measures to halt further transmission and deaths.

The intervention followed reports of the disease in several local government areas, with Rano Local Government Area reportedly among the areas of particular concern.

In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Ministry of Health, Nabilusi Abubakar Ahmad, the state government said the committee would assess the extent of the outbreak, verify reported cases and deaths, and strengthen measures to prevent the disease from spreading to neighbouring communities.

The committee is headed by the Director-General of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), Prof. Muhammad Adamu Abbas.

Other members are; the Director-General of the State Primary Healthcare Management Board (SPHCMB), Prof. Salisu A. Ibrahim; Executive Secretary of the Hospitals Management Board, Dr Mansur M. Nagoda; Director of Disease Control, SPHCMB, Dr Tijjani Habibu; Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, Dr Ibrahim Aliyu Umar; and State Epidemiologist, KNCDC, Sulaiman Iliyasu Hamisu.

Representatives from the Kano, Rano, Karaye and Gaya emirate councils were also appointed to the committee, while Hussaini Rufai from the KNCDC Monitoring and Evaluation Unit will serve as secretary.

The committee is expected to verify suspected and confirmed diphtheria cases and investigate reported deaths across affected local government areas.

It will also strengthen surveillance systems, with Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers across the state required to submit daily reports to enable authorities to monitor the situation and respond quickly to new cases.

As part of the response, the committee will establish a centralised database for suspected and confirmed cases while identifying gaps in immunisation coverage that could contribute to further transmission.

The government also directed the committee to intensify public awareness campaigns and community mobilisation to ensure residents understand the risks associated with diphtheria and the importance of seeking medical attention promptly.

Another key responsibility is to ensure that designated treatment centres have adequate medical supplies and that essential commodities are delivered on time.

Health workers in affected local government areas are also expected to work closely with the committee to improve coordination, information sharing, early identification of cases, and treatment.

The state government called on residents, traditional and community leaders, and other stakeholders to support the response by reporting suspected infections promptly and cooperating with health officials.

It assured residents that it was taking the reported outbreak seriously and would implement necessary measures to contain the disease and prevent its spread to other parts of Kano State.