National Primary Health Care Department Agency (NPHCDA) Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer in Kaduna
Diphtheria outbreak worsens, claims 20 lives, 156 cases recorded
Diphtheria outbreak in Kaduna State is worsening as 20 people have died from its spread.
The National Primary Health Care Department Agency (NPHCDA) Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Faisal Shuaib, who confirmed the figure after visiting the Kaduna diphtheria treatment centre, said Kaduna has recorded 156 cases of the disease since March.
He said the state is ranked among the seven with the highest number of diphtheria.
According to him, “We are at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital where mild to moderate cases are being attended to before being admitted to the infectious disease hospitals.
“That is high for diphtheria, but we also recognize that most of the patients are presented lately.
“There is also a need for the media to step up in creating awareness and providing useful information to the public about the existence of the disease.”
Shuaib said there is a need for patients with the disease to be presented in good time for vaccination.