Health
THE House of Representatives has urged the Federal Ministry of Health and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to arrest the outbreak of diphtheria in the country.
Experts say Diphtheria is a severe infection that is usually caused by a bacteria known as corynebacterium diphtheria. It leads to breathing difficulty, irregular heartbeat and in some cases, fatalities,
This followed the adoption of a motion moved by Rep. Muktar Shagaya (APC-Kwara) during plenary on Thursday in Abuja.
In his motion, Shagaya said that 36 states of the federation and the FCT had witnessed 555 cases of the disease in recent times as confirmed by a World Health Organisation (WHO) report.
He said since the outbreak of the disease, no fewer than 75 deaths had been recorded in 21 States.
He said the cases of diphtheria were under reported by the media in spite of its looming threat to public health.
He said the disease is highly contagious though vaccine-preventable, adding that concerted efforts by relevant bodies would subdue it.
The House urged the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency and NCDC to intensify their sensitisation and enlightenment campaign about the disease. (NAN)
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– July 07, 2023 @ 06:53 GMT |
Tags: National Primary Healthcare Development Agency Rep. Muktar Shagaya
