ADC gov candidate urges action over Sokoto diphtheria deaths

The African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, has called on the state government to urgently clarify reports of deaths allegedly linked to suspected diphtheria cases across the state.

Dan’iya, in a statement issued by his media aide, Aminu Abdullahi, expressed concern over reports that more than 50 children may have died from suspected complications of the disease.

However, he stressed that the figure should be verified by relevant health authorities before being treated as confirmed.

“The figure of over 50 deaths circulating in public discussion must be urgently verified by the appropriate health authorities,” Dan’iya said.

“Families deserve accurate information about the number of suspected and confirmed cases, deaths, recoveries and patients currently receiving treatment.”

His call followed concerns raised by residents over suspected deaths among children in some communities, including Kwalkwalawa and Rikina, amid reports of a diphtheria outbreak in the state.

A resident of Kwalkwalawa, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said his six-year-old son died after developing symptoms suspected to be associated with the disease.

He said the boy’s condition deteriorated on a Sunday morning, prompting the family to rush him to hospital.

“It was on Sunday morning when his condition deteriorated. When we noticed this, we rushed him to the hospital, but unfortunately, we were told that there was no provision to adequately manage his condition,” the resident said.

He added that the family later resorted to traditional medicine in an attempt to save the child.

“After hearing that, we did not resign ourselves to fate. We resorted to herbal medicine, but unfortunately, he lost his life,” he said.

About two children were also reportedly said to have died in Rikina village after developing symptoms believed to be associated with diphtheria.

A medical doctor in the state, who identified himself as Dr Bello, expressed concern over the reported deaths and called for stronger intervention by health authorities.

“The increasing number of suspected cases should prompt immediate intervention by the relevant authorities,” he said.

Dan’iya urged the Sokoto State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and other relevant agencies, to intensify disease surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing, vaccination and treatment of suspected cases.

He also called for properly equipped isolation and treatment centres, adequate medicines and medical personnel, as well as improved coordination between hospitals, schools and communities.

The ADC candidate urged the government to intensify public awareness campaigns across affected areas, using radio and television stations, schools, mosques, traditional institutions, health workers and community leaders.

“Parents should not be left to depend on rumours or traditional remedies when dealing with symptoms that may require urgent medical intervention,” Dan’iya said.

He called for regular publication of situation reports detailing suspected and confirmed cases, deaths, affected communities and local government areas, treatment centres, vaccination coverage and available medical supplies.

“Every suspected death deserves proper investigation, and every preventable infection deserves an urgent response,” he said.

Meanwhile, efforts to obtain the reaction of the Sokoto State Ministry of Health were unsuccessful as of press time.

The Executive Secretary of the Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Sifawa, directed our correspondent to the ministry’s Director of Disease Control.

The director said he was attending a meeting when contacted, while subsequent messages seeking clarification on the reported deaths and the government’s response had yet to be answered as at press time.

Dan’iya expressed sympathy with families who may have lost children or relatives and urged the government to take immediate steps to prevent further transmission of the disease.

“The protection of children must remain above politics,” he declared.