Recent revelations at the National Intra-National Action Review Meeting on the diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria have brought to light alarming figures. According to Dr. Muzzammil Gadanya, the Incident Manager at the National Diphtheria Emergency Operations Centre (NCDC), the country has recorded over 38,000 suspected cases of the disease, with 23,000 confirmed cases. These figures have raised awareness and reinforced the need for greater coordination of efforts to contain and prevent the spread of this infectious disease.
The meeting highlighted the importance of Nigeria’s current response mechanisms and stressed the need for enhanced coordination among various stakeholders. Despite these challenges, Dr. Gadanya still highlighted a significant reduction in diphtheria cases across the country, which is an encouraging sign.
On the other hand, Dr. Manir Jega, Director of Health, Nigerian Red Crescent Society, highlighted the crucial role of his organization as an auxiliary to the government. Since the outbreak, the Red Crescent has mobilized 3,700 community volunteers to sensitize the population from door to door. Awareness campaigns have been conducted, focusing on the signs and symptoms of the disease for better prevention.
Stakeholders involved in the meeting shared their experiences in managing diphtheria cases and provided updates on state-level responses. They emphasized the need to increase public awareness on vaccination and the importance of active case finding.
Key recommendations from the meeting include expanding vaccination efforts, strengthening public awareness initiatives, and implementing active contact tracing in affected areas. These measures are critical to contain and prevent the spread of the diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria.
In conclusion, it is imperative to continue to join forces and strengthen coordination among different stakeholders to effectively combat this infectious disease. Community engagement and public awareness remain fundamental pillars in the fight against diphtheria, and it is by joining forces that we can eradicate this threat in a sustainable manner.