The Zamfara State Ministry of Health, with support from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), has commenced a house to house diphtheria outbreak response campaign in Gusau Local Government Area.
The exercise is aimed at strengthening efforts to detect suspected diphtheria cases early, prevent further transmission of the disease and ensure prompt referral of suspected cases for treatment.
As part of the response, health teams are conducting active case searches in communities, while providing health promotion and health education to residents on diphtheria signs, symptoms and the importance of seeking medical attention.
Suspected cases identified during the exercise are being referred to designated treatment centres, including the Infectious Diseases Centre (IDC), Damba, and Primary Health Care (PHC) Kwata, to receive free quality, impartial and dignified healthcare inclusive of food for patients and care takers, caregivers, as well as further assessment and management.
The intervention also seeks to strengthen infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, enhance the capacity of local health workers and support measures to stop the transmission of diphtheria within communities.
In addition, attention is being given to improving water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities at treatment centres to promote safe infection prevention and control practices.
The Director of Public Health, Dr. Yusuf Abubakar Haske, commended the initiative and reiterated the government's commitment to prioritizing public health safety and containing outbreaks effectively across the state.
The Ministry of Health and MSF have called on residents of Gusau to cooperate with the response teams and promptly report suspected diphtheria cases to health authorities for early assessment and appropriate treatment.
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