BIDA, NIGER STATE — At least 10 children have died following a fresh outbreak of diphtheria in Agaie and Bida Local Government Areas of Niger State, sparking panic among residents and calls for urgent government intervention.
Vanguard gathered that the children were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Bida, but later succumbed to the disease due to the unavailability of critical drugs needed for treatment.
Community sources revealed that the actual death toll may be higher, as more children continue to die in affected villages since the outbreak began.
“The figure is high because children are dying almost on a daily basis in these two local governments,” a source in Bida said. “This is a matter of life and death, and we plead with the state government to urgently provide drugs to Bida and Agaie general hospitals to prevent further spread.”
Confirming the outbreak, Dr. Mohammed Gana, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tertiary Health Care, acknowledged the situation but declined to disclose the official casualty figure.
“Yes, there is an outbreak of diphtheria in these local government areas and we are doing everything possible to put the spread under control,” he said.
Gana blamed the high number of deaths on vaccine hesitancy among some parents but expressed gratitude to health partners supporting the state with medical supplies. He, however, assured that the situation was now under control.
Comments