Kano State is facing a worrying diphtheria outbreak that has reportedly claimed the lives of more than 50 children, prompting the State House of Assembly to demand immediate government intervention.
The issue was raised during Tuesday’s plenary, where lawmakers described the outbreak as an urgent public health crisis and called on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration to intensify efforts to contain the disease.
The House unanimously adopted a resolution directing its Committee on Health to work with the Ministry of Health to ensure emergency measures are immediately implemented in affected communities.
Lawmakers Raise Alarm Over Rising Deaths
The member representing Rano Constituency, Ibrahim Muhammad, raised the alarm over the situation, identifying Ridin and Sabuwar Qaura among the communities reportedly worst affected by the outbreak.
According to him, several families have been left devastated by the deaths of their children, while the measures currently being taken by health authorities are not enough to match the scale of the crisis.
Muhammad called on the state government and Ministry of Health to deploy more medical personnel, medicines and emergency supplies to affected communities.
More Communities Record Infections
The situation became more concerning when Usman Abubakar Tasiu, representing Kiru Constituency, revealed that new cases had been recorded in Kwana Dangora, Dangora and Yelwa.
Tasiu also recounted the death of two siblings from the same family on the same day, describing the incident as evidence of the seriousness of the outbreak.
Lawmakers subsequently called for the establishment of a coordinated emergency response committee to oversee disease surveillance, treatment, vaccination and public awareness campaigns.
The proposed response would cover communities across Rano, Kiru, Tudun Wada, Kibiya, Bunkure and Bebeji.
Lawmakers Call For Mass Vaccination
Saleh Ahmad, representing Dawakin Tofa Constituency, warned that diphtheria could spread rapidly in communities with low immunisation coverage.
He therefore called for an aggressive vaccination campaign targeting vulnerable children and communities.
The Majority Leader of the House, Lawan Husseini, also urged the state government to activate the Kano State Health Protection Law.
He said the law gives the government powers to provide free emergency healthcare and take extraordinary measures necessary to control infectious disease outbreaks.
The lawmakers said swift action was needed to prevent further deaths and stop the outbreak from spreading to more communities across Kano State.
