According to reports, a diphtheria outbreak in Kano State's Rano local government area has killed over fifty individuals and hospitalised dozens more.

Nonetheless, the terrible event has forced members of the Kano State House of Assembly to demand quick action to lessen the load on health.

Ibrahim Muhammad, a congressman for the Rano Constituency, expressed worry about the health issue and called for the executive branch to act immediately in a resolution of urgent public interest that was presented at the plenary on Tuesday.

Speaking on the floor of the house at a session presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Jibril Ismail Falgore, the lawmaker stated that the outbreak was especially bad in the localities of Sabuwar Qaura and Ridin, where the bulk of the victims were children.

He stated that further assistance was desperately needed to contain the illness even if emergency steps, such as the distribution of medication and the deployment of medical personnel, had been started.

The congressman urged the Commissioner for Health and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to give the impacted villages further emergency aid.

Usman Abubakar Tasiu, the member representing Kiru Constituency, supported the motion, stating that the outbreak had extended to areas in Kiru, including Kwarin Dangora, Dangora town, and Yelwa.

In order to coordinate efforts to contain the outbreak in the local government areas of Rano, Tudun Wada, Kibiya, Bunkure, Bebeji, and Kiru, Tasiu demanded the formation of an emergency committee.

Saleh Ahmad, a legislator from the Dawakin Tofa Constituency, warned that diphtheria is extremely contagious and might spread quickly to nearby areas, and he urged the government to increase immunisation and other preventive measures.

Lawan Husseini, the majority leader of the House, urged the government to apply the state's Health Protection Law in order to stop the outbreak.

He said that during infectious disease epidemics, the legislation gives the government the authority to offer free medical care and emergency relief, as well as to limit travel and isolate impacted areas as needed.

Following the motion's adoption, the House instructed its Committee on Health to consult with the Ministry of Health over the law's implementation and the provision of emergency aid to impacted localities.

Source