The Zamfara State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), has intensified surveillance and preparedness measures to prevent and control diphtheria and other vaccine-preventable diseases in the state. The development was disclosed at a Surveillance and Routine Immunisation (RI) Review Meeting involving Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (DSNOs) and Assistant Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (ADSNOs). The meeting reviewed surveillance activities relating to Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP), vaccine-preventable diseases and Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) documentation ahead of the planned OBR documentation exercise. The Commissioner for Health, Dr Nafisa Muhammad Maradun, said the meeting also assessed the response to suspected diphtheria cases and considered measures to prevent community transmission. Maradun, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Rilwanu Zurmi, urged surveillance officers to intensify monitoring and ensure prompt collection and submission of samples from suspected diphtheria cases for laboratory confirmation. She said timely and proper collection of samples was critical for accurate diagnosis, reliable epidemiological data and appropriate public health interventions. The commissioner directed surveillance personnel to promptly investigate suspected cases, ensure proper transportation of samples to designated laboratories and strengthen reporting from health facilities and communities. She also called for stronger collaboration among surveillance officers, health facilities, laboratory personnel and development partners to ensure early detection and response to suspected cases. The WHO State Coordinator in Zamfara, Dr Raji Mukhtar, called for improved management of suspected diphtheria cases in health facilities. Mukhtar also urged health authorities to intensify contact tracing and ensure prompt sharing of information on suspected cases to facilitate rapid investigation and intervention. “Any surveillance information received should be brought forward so that appropriate action can be taken,” he said. He assured the state government of WHO’s continued support in disease surveillance, laboratory confirmation, contact tracing, case management and timely response. The state government and development partners reaffirmed their commitment to sustained surveillance and improved coordination to prevent and control diphtheria and other vaccine-preventable diseases in Zamfara.
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