The Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) has engaged traditional rulers across the state’s emirates to intensify community sensitisation and promote acceptance of vaccines against diphtheria and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
However,following concerns over the outbreak and its possible spread to other communities, the Federal Ministry of Health deployed 500,000 doses of vaccines and a special task force to coordinate rapid surveillance and response activities in Kano and Katsina states.
The move followed a recent diphtheria outbreak in communities in Rano Local Government Area and concerns over reported casualties linked to the disease.
The Director-General of KNCDC, Prof. Muhammad Adamu-Abbas, made the call during a meeting with district heads under the Kano Emirate Council.
Adamu-Abbas highlighted the importance of vaccination and urged traditional leaders to support efforts to halt the spread of diphtheria through increased vaccine uptake and prompt reporting of suspected cases.
He said many of the diphtheria cases recorded in the state involved children who had not received routine immunisation, sought treatment from patent medicine vendors or traditional healers, or were taken late to health facilities.
The KNCDC boss appealed to traditional leaders to mobilise their communities to embrace vaccination and encourage residents to seek immediate medical attention whenever symptoms of illness are noticed.
He also urged the traditional institution to caution traditional medicine practitioners and barbers against treating suspected diphtheria cases, stressing that affected persons should be referred immediately to health facilities.
Responding, the Dankadai of Kano, Dr Bashir Dankadai, assured the KNCDC of the traditional institution’s commitment to supporting the campaign against diphtheria.
Dankadai said district heads, known as Hakimai, would engage village heads (Dagatai), who would in turn mobilise ward heads (Masu Unguwanni) to sensitise residents on vaccination and early presentation at health facilities.
He added that traditional healers, particularly barbers (Wanzamai), would be warned against interfering with diphtheria treatment or carrying out traditional surgical interventions on suspected patients.
The Dankadai reaffirmed the readiness of traditional leaders to work closely with the KNCDC to curb the spread of the disease across Kano State.
The KNCDC had earlier called for the urgent supply of nine million doses of vaccines to strengthen efforts to contain the infectious disease.
Following concerns over the outbreak and its possible spread to other communities, the Federal Ministry of Health deployed 500,000 doses of vaccines and a special task force to coordinate rapid surveillance and response activities in Kano and Katsina States.
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