Sokoto ADC candidate seeks verification of reported diphtheria deaths
Sokoto ADC governorship candidate Manir Muhammad Dan’iya has urged health authorities to verify reports that more than 50 children may have died from suspected diphtheria complications. He called for surveillance, testing, vaccination, treatment facilities and regular public updates.
African Democratic Congress governorship candidate Manir Muhammad Dan’iya has urged the Sokoto State Government to clarify reports of more than 50 child deaths allegedly linked to suspected diphtheria cases. Dan’iya said the figure circulating publicly must be verified before being treated as confirmed. He asked health authorities to publish accurate information on suspected and confirmed cases, deaths, recoveries and patients receiving treatment.
The call followed concerns from residents in communities including Kwalkwalawa and Rikina. One resident said his six-year-old son died after developing suspected symptoms, while two children in Rikina were also reportedly said to have died. Dan’iya called on the state Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and other agencies to intensify surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing, vaccination and treatment.
He also sought properly equipped isolation centres, medicines and medical personnel. The candidate urged authorities to use radio, television, schools, mosques and community institutions for public awareness. The Sokoto Ministry of Health had not responded by press time, according to the source.
Dan’iya said suspected deaths required investigation and urged families not to rely on rumours or traditional remedies.
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