Following the death of 20 people in Kaduna State, the Senate passed a resolution, mandating the Ministry of Health to, as a matter of urgency, commence the immunization of vulnerable Nigerians against Diphtheria disease. The resolution was a sequel to a motion that came under orders 41 and 51, under a matter of urgent public importance, sponsored by Senator Sunday Katung (PDP Kaduna South).
The upper chamber urged Federal Government to increase the funding of all relevant institutions involved in the production and distribution of the vaccine.
Katung said the index case of a four-year-old child in Jema'a LGA led to the death of about 20 people, stressing that the disease is highly contagious and deadly.
According to him, “Further notes that since this index case, the Kaduna State Government has confirmed that the death toll from the diphtheria outbreak in the State has risen to 17 with 68 suspected cases identified across the state as of Sunday the 23rd of July 2023;
“Also notes that a breakdown shows 10 people have reportedly died from the disease in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, while 3 children died in Makarfi Local Government Area, while seven others were hospitalized;
“Cognizant that diphtheria is a highly contagious, infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Corynebacterium diphtheria rendering infected people struck with serious breathing and swallowing problems that may develop sores on the skin;
“Worried that the highly contagious nature of the disease means that without immediate and concerted efforts towards curbing it, the disease would spread at a devastating rate especially considering the communal and poor living conditions in most rural communities in Nigeria;
“Avers that Nigeria’s recent experiences with the Ebola virus and the Covid19 pandemic show why outbreaks of virus epidemics must be fought with the best biomedical and scientific tools and knowledge available,” Katung said.
The Senate President Goodwill Akpabio, who thanked Katung for bringing the motion, added that it saves lives and help, the Country from going into pandemic.
