A diphtheria outbreak in parts of Kano State has reportedly claimed the lives of more than 50 children, prompting lawmakers to call for urgent government intervention to prevent further deaths.
The development was raised during Tuesday’s plenary at the Kano State House of Assembly, where lawmakers described the situation as a matter of urgent public concern.
The House subsequently unanimously adopted a resolution urging Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration to activate emergency measures to contain the spread.
It also directed its Committee on Health to work with the Ministry of Health to ensure that emergency interventions are immediately implemented in the affected communities.
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.
He said dozens of families had been left devastated by the deaths of their children, adding that although health officials had commenced a response, the measures were not sufficient given the scale of the crisis.
Muhammad called on Governor Yusuf and the state Ministry of Health to deploy more medical personnel, medicines and emergency support to the affected areas to prevent additional fatalities.
The situation became more concerning after Usman Abubakar Tasiu, representing Kiru Constituency, reported new infections in Kwana Dangora, Dangora and Yelwa.
He also recounted the death of two siblings from the same family within a single day, describing the incident as a painful indication of the seriousness of the outbreak.
With concerns over the spread increasing, lawmakers proposed establishing a coordinated emergency response committee to oversee disease surveillance, treatment, vaccination and public awareness campaigns.
The proposed response would cover Rano, Kiru, Tudun Wada, Kibiya, Bunkure and Bebeji local government areas.
Saleh Ahmad, representing Dawakin Tofa Constituency, warned that diphtheria can spread quickly where immunisation coverage is low.
He therefore called for an aggressive vaccination campaign targeting vulnerable communities across the state.
The Majority Leader, Lawan Husseini, also urged the state government to activate the Kano State Health Protection Law.
According to him, the legislation gives the government the authority to provide free emergency healthcare and introduce other extraordinary measures required to control infectious disease outbreaks.
Kano State is located in Nigeria’s North-West region.
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