Residents of Sokoto State have expressed concern over the reported deaths of children suspected to have contracted diphtheria amid the ongoing outbreak in the state.
The development has heightened fears among residents, particularly parents, who are calling for urgent measures to contain the spread of the disease and prevent further deaths.
The concerns followed an earlier alert by the state government, which urged residents and school authorities to take precautionary measures against the spread of diphtheria.
However, some residents who spoke with our correspondent said they were worried that the response to the outbreak was not enough to address the situation.
In Kwalkwalawa community, a resident, who requested anonymity, said his six-year-old son died after developing symptoms which he suspected were linked to diphtheria.
He said the boy’s condition suddenly worsened on a Sunday morning, prompting the family to take him to a hospital.
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“It was on Sunday morning that his condition deteriorated. We quickly took him to the hospital, but unfortunately, we were told that there was no provision to adequately manage his condition,” he said.
The grieving father said the family subsequently turned to traditional medicine after being informed that the required treatment was unavailable.
“We did not just give up. We resorted to herbal medicine in an attempt to save him, but unfortunately, he lost his life,” he added.
Similarly, residents of Rikina village reportedly said two children had died after developing symptoms suspected to be associated with the disease.
The reported cases have sparked calls for increased surveillance and immediate intervention by health authorities to prevent further transmission, particularly among children.
A medical doctor in the state, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that children were reportedly dying amid the outbreak and called for a stronger response from the relevant authorities.
“The increasing number of suspected cases should prompt immediate intervention by the relevant authorities,” the doctor said.
He said early detection and prompt treatment remained critical in reducing complications and deaths associated with the disease.
The doctor also called for intensified disease surveillance, public awareness campaigns, early referral and treatment of suspected cases, as well as closer coordination among health authorities, schools and communities.
Residents are also demanding regular updates from the state government on the outbreak, including the number of confirmed and suspected cases, reported deaths, treatment facilities and measures being implemented to contain the disease.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the state Ministry of Health were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The Executive Secretary of the Sokoto State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Sifawa, when contacted, directed our correspondent to the Director of Disease Control in the ministry.
The director said he was attending a meeting when contacted. Subsequent messages sent to him seeking clarification on the reported deaths and the government’s response to the outbreak had not been answered as of press time.
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