Edo State is witnessing a rise in suspected diphtheria cases, raising alarm over an apparent shortage of vaccines to contain the spread.
Reports indicate that the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, is currently under pressure, grappling with an influx of patients referred from various locations over suspected diphtheria infections.
Although the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Oshiomhole, has yet to confirm the number of fatalities, hospital sources revealed that more deaths have occurred since two were reported the previous week.
A medical officer at UBTH disclosed that the facility has been overwhelmed by the number of referred cases suspected to be diphtheria.
Efforts to get comments from UBTH’s spokesperson, Uwaila Joshua, were unsuccessful as his mobile line was switched off.
The state government has activated an emergency public health strategy to curb the spread of the disease.
According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, GovernorMondayOkpebholo has mobilised both personnel and resources to address the crisis.
He said the Governor is directly overseeing surveillance and containment operations aimed at protecting public health and preventing further escalation.
According to him, “Hospitals across the state have been placed on high alert and instructed to intensify case detection, prompt isolation, and proper clinical management of suspected cases in accordance with national and international guidelines.
“Medical personnel are being briefed and equipped to respond appropriately, while the state’s disease surveillance network is being expanded to trace and monitor potential contacts swiftly.
“In addition, Governor Okpebholo has convened a multi-sectoral emergency meeting with representatives from the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, World Health Organisation, WHO, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, and community development groups to harmonise efforts and strengthen the response framework.”;
