The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Federal Ministry of Health have been urged to ensure that the outbreak of diphtheria is contained effectively and reduce the fatality ratio in confirmed cases.
The charge was given on Thursday by the House of Representatives sequel to the adoption of a motion by a member from Kwara State, Muktar Shagaya, at the plenary.
Shagaya stated that the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have witnessed a total of 550 (five hundred and fifty) cases, based on the recent reports of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The lawmaker also said that since the outbreak of the disease, about 75 deaths have been recorded in 21 affected states with the most recent death of a four-year-old boy in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to him, diphtheria cases are under-reported in Nigeria despite the threats it poses to public health, including respiratory complications, heart rhythm problems and other fatal outcomes in situations of late detection.
Shagaya also noted that diphtheria is a highly contagious vaccine-preventable disease, which spreads between people mainly by direct contact or through the air via respiratory droplets.
Adopting the motion, the House called on the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency and NCDC to intensify its sensitization and enlightenment campaign to prevent and eradicate the scourge of diphtheria and other related diseases across the country
The House also mandated the Committees on Healthcare Services and Legislative Compliance, when constituted, to ensure compliance.
