The Kano State House of Assembly has called for urgent intervention by the state government following reports that a diphtheria outbreak in Rano Local Government Area has claimed the lives of more than 50 children.
The call was made during Tuesday’s plenary after a motion of urgent public importance was raised by Ibrahim Muhammad, representing Rano Constituency, and presided over by the Speaker, Jibril Ismail Falgore.
Muhammad expressed concern over the severity of the outbreak, particularly in Ridin and Sabuwar Qaura communities, where he said more than 50 children had reportedly died from the disease.
He noted that emergency response measures had already commenced, including the deployment of health workers and provision of medication, but stressed that the scale of the outbreak required additional government intervention and resources.
The lawmaker appealed to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the state Commissioner for Health to urgently provide further medical assistance and strengthen containment efforts in the affected communities.
Supporting the motion, Usman Abubakar Tasiu, representing Kiru Constituency, disclosed that the outbreak had also spread to parts of Kiru Local Government Area, including Kwarin Dangora, Dangora town and Yelwa.
Tasiu further alleged that an APC youth leader in Kiru had lost two children to the disease within a single day, describing the situation as a serious public health emergency.
He called for the establishment of a dedicated emergency committee to coordinate the response across Rano, Tudun Wada, Kibiya, Bunkure, Bebeji and Kiru Local Government Areas.
Similarly, Saleh Ahmad, representing Dawakin Tofa Constituency, urged the government to intensify vaccination campaigns, surveillance and other preventive measures to prevent further transmission.
Ahmad warned that diphtheria is highly contagious and could spread rapidly to neighbouring communities if immediate and coordinated action is not taken.
The Majority Leader of the House, Lawan Husseini, also urged the state government to invoke the provisions of the state’s Health Protection Law to strengthen its response to the outbreak.
According to him, the law empowers the government to provide emergency relief and free medical treatment, while also allowing authorities to restrict movement and isolate affected areas when necessary during outbreaks of infectious diseases.
The lawmakers stressed the need for a coordinated response involving health authorities, local governments and affected communities to prevent further loss of lives and bring the reported outbreak under control.
