Reports of more than 50 children dying from suspected diphtheria complications in Sokoto State have prompted a demand for official verification, as residents report suspected deaths in Kwalkwalawa and Rikina.
Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in the state, said health authorities must establish the number of suspected and confirmed cases, deaths, recoveries and patients receiving treatment.
The call came after residents raised concerns over suspected deaths among children in some communities amid reports of a diphtheria outbreak in Sokoto.
Death figure needs verification
Dan’iya said the reported figure of more than 50 deaths should not be treated as confirmed until health authorities verify it.
“The figure of over 50 deaths circulating in public discussion must be urgently verified by the appropriate health authorities,” he said.
“Families deserve accurate information about the number of suspected and confirmed cases, deaths, recoveries and patients currently receiving treatment.”
His media aide, Aminu Abdullahi, issued the statement containing the candidate’s position.
Diphtheria is a bacterial disease that can cause serious illness and requires medical care. The reports from Sokoto have raised questions about access to treatment and the availability of reliable information on suspected cases.
Two children were reportedly said to have died in Rikina village after developing symptoms believed to be associated with diphtheria.
Doctor seeks immediate intervention
According to a report obtained from PUNCH, a medical doctor in Sokoto State, who identified himself as Dr Bello, expressed concern over the reported deaths.
“The increasing number of suspected cases should prompt immediate intervention by the relevant authorities,” he said.
Dan’iya asked the Sokoto State Ministry of Health to work with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and other relevant agencies on disease surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing, vaccination and treatment.
He also asked for properly equipped isolation and treatment centres, sufficient medicines and medical personnel.
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The ADC candidate said hospitals, schools and communities should have better coordination in responding to suspected cases.
He also asked the government to intensify public awareness in affected areas through 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.
Sokoto ministry yet to respond
Attempts to obtain a response from the Sokoto State Ministry of Health had not succeeded as of press time.
The Executive Secretary of the Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Sifawa, directed the correspondent to the ministry’s Director of Disease Control.
The director said he was attending a meeting when contacted.
Subsequent messages seeking clarification on the reported deaths and the government’s response had not received a reply as of press time.
This leaves the reported figure of more than 50 deaths awaiting confirmation from the relevant health authorities.
Dan’iya said the government should publish regular situation reports showing suspected and confirmed cases, deaths, affected communities and local government areas.
He also asked that such reports include treatment centres, vaccination coverage and available medical supplies.
What readers should know
The reports currently contain both a public figure of more than 50 suspected deaths and individual accounts of children who reportedly died after developing symptoms associated with diphtheria.
The more than 50 figure has not been confirmed by the relevant health authorities in the information available for this report.
Dan’iya said every suspected death should be properly investigated and every preventable infection should receive an urgent response.
“Every suspected death deserves proper investigation, and every preventable infection deserves an urgent response,” he said.
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