Authorities move to close immunisation gaps as child health concerns rise
ABUJA — The Federal Government has activated an emergency multi-agency task force following an outbreak of diphtheria affecting parts of Kano and Katsina States.
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The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said the task force will strengthen disease surveillance, close immunisation gaps and improve access to timely treatment.
The response involves the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, affected state governments and international partners.
Why children are particularly vulnerable
Diphtheria is a serious bacterial disease that can cause severe breathing difficulties and other complications.
Vaccination remains one of the most effective tools for prevention.
The latest response therefore puts immunisation coverage at the centre of the government’s strategy.
The outbreak also exposes a wider challenge facing Nigeria: maintaining strong routine immunisation programmes while dealing simultaneously with insecurity, poverty, displacement and weak access to healthcare in some communities.
The real test
Emergency task forces can respond to outbreaks. But preventing the next outbreak requires something more difficult: strong primary healthcare systems that work every day, not only when a crisis begins.
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