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The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Bida reported that ten children died as a result of a diphtheria epidemic in the Agaie and Bida Local Government Areas of Niger State.
The information acquired indicates that the disease outbreak was reported over a span of two weeks, with five fatalities first documented and another five subsequent to that.
Beyond the 10 confirmed deaths, XANDERTECH has heard that the number could be higher owing to continuing casualties in the impacted areas.
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Residents of the impacted LGAs are expressing their alarm over the situation and calling on the state government to act quickly to contain the disease and give medical assistance.
They stated that children are dying because FMC Bida does not have enough treatment facilities or the necessary medications to deal with the epidemic.
Yusuf Yakub, a Bida resident, urged Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago to intervene immediately in an open letter in which he begged for the saving of lives.
“Dear Honourable Mohammed Umar Bago, Executive Governor of Niger State,
Five youngsters tragically lost their lives yesterday at the Federal Medical Centre Bida as a result of the diphtheria outbreak. We regret to inform you of this news. The tragic toll of this sickness at FMC Bida now stands at nine, including these unfortunate youngsters.
Worryingly, FMC Bida does not have the resources to deal with this epidemic, including the medications and treatment facilities that are needed. There has to be immediate action because children are dying at an alarming rate.
Consequently, we are pleading with the government of Niger State and the Ministry of Primary Health Care to act swiftly and decisively. If we care about the well-being of our children, we must ensure that FMC Bida has access to sufficient medication, vaccines, and medical assistance.
“This is a critical situation, and taking prompt action will help reduce the spread of diphtheria and restore faith in our healthcare system.”
The outbreak has been confirmed and Dr. Mohammed Gana, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tertiary Health Care, has guaranteed that every effort is being made to contain it.
While expressing gratitude to partners for delivering medications, he ascribed the high death toll to parents refusing to bring their children for vaccination.
When asked about the deaths of any children at the centre as a result of the diphtheria epidemic, FMC Bida’s public relations officer, Mr. Kayode Arokoyo, refuted the allegations.
I am not aware of the sickness outbreak in the centre, he claims. I will relay your message to the official responsible for community health and get back to you as soon as possible.
No response from the centre was received by our reporter as of the report’s filing.