Ten children have lost their lives following a diphtheria outbreak in Agaie and Bida local government areas of Niger State.
The victims were reportedly rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Bida, where they later died due to the unavailability of essential drugs for treatment.
Sources within the affected councils disclosed that, beyond the 10 deaths confirmed at FMC Bida, more casualties had been recorded in rural communities since the outbreak began.
A resident of Bida, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said children have been dying almost daily in the two affected areas. “This is a matter of life and death.
We plead with the state government to urgently provide drugs at the general hospitals in Bida and Agaie to prevent further spread to other communities,” the source said.
Confirming the outbreak, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tertiary Health Care, Dr. Mohammed Gana, acknowledged the situation but declined to confirm the number of casualties.
“Yes, there is an outbreak of diphtheria in these local government areas and we are doing everything possible to control its spread.
The high death toll is partly due to some parents refusing to submit their children for vaccination,” he said.
Gana, however, noted that with support from health partners who have supplied medicaments, the situation was now being managed and brought under control.