By Opeyemi Adeoti
The Kwara State House of Assembly has charged the executive arm of government to as a matter of urgency take necessary precaution to guide against the outbreak of diphtheria disease in the state.
This was sequel to a Matter of General Public Importance “Need for State Government to Ensure Surveillance Against the Outbreak of Diphtheria” moved by the House Leader and member representing Ilorin Central Constituency, Hon. Oba Abdulkadir Magaji and seconded by member representing Kaiama/Kemanji/Wajibe Constituency, Hon. Halidu Danbaba.
Holistic Infos reports that, Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that usually affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat and its advanced stages can damage the heart, kidneys and nervous system.
Hon. Oba Magaji said diphtheria is a deadly disease that is highly contagious, calling on the state government to take proactive measure to guide against its outbreak in the state.
For their parts, member representing Isin Constituency, Hon. Razaq Omotosho and member representing Edu Constituency, Hon. Saba Issa Gideon solicited for adequate sensitization through the ministry of health and other relevant agencies as one of the ways to guide against its infection.
In his contribution, Hon. Danbaba said, for the fact that the disease is already in neighboring states like Osun, the government must take drastic measure so that it doesn’t enter Kwara.
Other lawmakers who contributed to the matter said, the importance of surveillance can never be over emphasized because it enables early detection and long term planning against the communicable bacteria disease.
The speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Salihu Danladi while reading the resolution of the House, urged the state government to improve surveillance at the local government level
He called on the ministry of health to ensure Diphtheria is treated as one of the priority diseases for immediate reporting
The House also urged the ministry of health and health departments at the local government levels to strengthen community and clinical sensitization through active engagement, training, retraining of staff and consequently members of the public
The House charged the ministry of communications to embark on sensitization on immunization against childhood vaccine and preventable diseases through electronic media
Speaker Danladi called on parents to ensure that their children and wards access vaccination at the nearest health facilities as and when due.