Dr Ejike Oji, the Chairman, Technical Management Committee, Association forthe Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP), has called for increased public awareness to contain the outbreak of diphtheria in Nigeria.
He made the call in an interview in Abuja on Monday.
He explained that community engagements and access to healthcare was paramount in containing the disease.
He added that “steps to be taken to contain outbreaks of diphtheria include increasing public awareness and community engagement.
“Access to health care, improving personal hygiene and reducing over crowding.”
The medical practitioner said that provision of vaccinations for at-risk children was imperative.
He also called for strengthening of the country’s surveillance systems in order to tackle the menace.
Oji, who commended the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for working with states to monitor suspected cases of diphtheria, said it was necessary to provide rapid response teams.
According to him, there should be reactive vaccinations in areas of outbreaks.
“I know for sure that the FCT public health department in Abuja is already doing this.”
It was reported that Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that usually affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat.
Diphtheria can be treated with medications. But in advanced stages, diphtheria can damage the heart, kidneys and nervous system.
Even with treatment, diphtheria can be deadly, especially in children.