… As UNICEF trains WDCs
Daniel Atori & Mairo Allawa
Niger state government has confirmed that eleven persons have died within the past few days following the outbreak of diphtheria in Chanchaga and Katcha local government areas of the state.
While disclosing this, the Executive Director, Niger state Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Junaidu Inuwa blamed the casualty rate on parents and guardians who have denied their children vaccinations.
He said at a 2 Day capacity building workshop on Strengthening Ward Development Committees (WDCs) on Community Engagement and Accountability to Affected Population (AAP) in Minna organized by the State Niger State Primary Health Care Development Agency in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) that the goal is to ensure that community structures are adequately engaged, empowered, and are adequately educated for prevention of diseases.
It should be noted that 17 lives out of the124 confirmed cases recorded between January and early August were lost.
Reports have it that, 74 patients were treated and discharged from focal areas of Bida, Agaie local government Areas, alongside surveillance in Suleja LGA.
According to him “most parents are not immunizing their children and the community structure needs to do a lot for us.
“I am sure most of you are aware that recently we have an outbreak of some diseases in Chanchaga and Katcha LGAs. There are 10 cases and all of them died. We even lost another patient on Tuesday at the General Hospital, Minna”.
Dr. Inuwa while appealing to the WDCs to prioritise early child education, charged them to encourage women and mothers to take their children for Immunization.
Speaking also, Social and Behavioural Change Specialist, with UNICEF Kaduna Field Office, Ibrahim Mohammed said the main aim of the capacity-building was to strengthen their capacity to be able to provide health, wash, nutrition, child protection, and education.
According to him “we are looking at an integrative approach to healthcare services across the community.”
