Health

JUST-IN: Diphtheria Hits King’s College, Parents Blame Poor Hygiene

Published

1 year ago

March 11, 2025

419 Views

A diphtheria outbreak at King’s College, Lagos (KCL), has sparked outrage among parents, who blamed poor sanitation and inadequate hygiene for the spread of the deadly bacterial infection.

The outbreak, which has resulted in multiple hospitaliSations and one confirmed fatality among students, has prompted the Lagos State Government to activate its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to contain the situation.

Parents have long raised concerns about the deteriorating condition of the school’s facilities, citing issues such as unsanitary toilets, poor waste management, and unhygienic food preparation.

Many believed these conditions created a breeding ground for infections, making students vulnerable to diphtheria and other illnesses.

A concerned parent, speaking anonymously, questioned why the school had initially downplayed the situation despite clear signs of a looming outbreak.

“If hygiene wasn’t an issue, why are students suddenly wearing nose masks? Why were some rushed to LUTH for treatment? This could have been prevented if the school took health and sanitation seriously,” she said.

Reports suggest that students had shown symptoms of diphtheria weeks before the official confirmation, with some parents claiming their children were diagnosed in external hospitals.

However, attempts to raise these concerns within the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) were reportedly dismissed.

Following the outbreak, King’s College management issued consent forms requesting parents’ approval for their children to receive diphtheria vaccinations.

The immunization campaign, carried out in collaboration with the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, aims to boost immunity among students and prevent further spread.

The Lagos State government, reacting swiftly, activated its Emergency Response Committee.

Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, confirmed that the index case was a 12-year-old student who reported to the school’s clinic on February 22 with a sore throat and fever.

“He was referred to LUTH, where he received antibiotics and diphtheria antitoxin serum.

However, despite medical intervention, he succumbed to severe myocarditis—a known complication of diphtheria toxin—on March 6.

At the time of his death, 34 close contacts were already under medical observation. Of these, 14 students developed symptoms and were transferred to LUTH for screening.

Twelve were confirmed to have early-stage diphtheria and placed on immediate treatment,” the Commissioner disclosed.

Abayomi averred that the state government has now launched a mass vaccination campaign for students at both the Victoria Island Annexe and the Main School in Igbosere, extending immunization efforts to teachers and healthcare providers, adding that a health inspection at King’s College revealed gaps in infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, which officials have vowed to address immediately.

“To curb further spread, the government is distributing diphtheria awareness materials across schools and hospitals in Lagos.

A public health advisory is also being prepared to educate residents on symptoms, prevention, and early treatment.

“With nearly 500,000 doses of diphtheria vaccines available, health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), are collaborating to contain the outbreak and prevent future occurrences, he stated.

Parents, however, insisted that the root cause of the problem must be addressed. Many were calling for urgent government intervention to improve water supply, sanitation, waste management, and healthcare facilities in the school.

One disraut mother, whose son was hospitalised for over a week, lamented the poor conditions students endure. “This is not just about diphtheria.

The entire school environment is unhealthy.

If nothing changes, we will keep seeing outbreaks of diseases that could have been prevented with basic hygiene,” she said.

As the State Emergency Operations Centre continues to monitor the evolving situation, Commissioner Abayomi has urged Lagosians to prioritise hygiene, avoid crowded environments, and seek immediate medical attention if experiencing diphtheria symptoms.

He reassured the public that the outbreak is under control, and proactive measures will continue to protect students and prevent future health crises.

Related Topics:Diphtheria Featured Kings College

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National Data Repository Index Numbers of patients currently on treatment for HIV in Nigeria as at May 13, 2026

Published

2 days ago

May 14, 2026

Charles Flames

54 Views

Benue: 195,305

⁠Akwa Ibom: 158,201
⁠Lagos: 135,918
⁠Rivers: 90,055
⁠Nasarawa: 65,996
⁠FCT: 62,627
⁠Kaduna: 58,576
⁠Cross River: 57,765
⁠Enugu: 55,478
⁠Delta: 52,475
⁠Taraba: 51,840
⁠Abia: 50,038
⁠Imo: 47,863
⁠Plateau: 46,618
⁠Anambra: 46,602
⁠Adamawa: 42,074
⁠Kano: 41,093
⁠Kogi: 37,301
⁠Oyo: 33,133
⁠Niger: 33,057
⁠Ogun: 31,822
⁠Bauchi: 29,745
⁠Edo: 29,256
⁠Gombe: 28,037
⁠Osun: 25,018
⁠Borno: 24,527
⁠Ondo: 22,455
⁠Kebbi: 20,803
⁠Bayelsa: 19,549
⁠Katsina: 18,682
⁠Ebonyi: 15,474
⁠Kwara: 14,997
⁠Jigawa: 14,302
⁠Zamfara: 13,813
⁠Ekiti: 12,356
⁠Yobe: 10,716
⁠Sokoto: 10,511 Total: 1.70m

Health

FG to Launch Mega Agro-Industrial Livestock HUB in Abuja

Published

4 days ago

May 12, 2026

Charles Flames

61 Views

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the establishment of an Agro-Industrial Business Hub and Mega Livestock Processing Facility in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, gave the assurance during a high-level strategic meeting involving the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, ABIS Group and the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (LPRES) in Abuja.

The Minister stated that the Ministry would work closely with ABIS Group, LPRES and other stakeholders to ensure the smooth take-off and successful implementation of the project. He explained that the engagement followed Nigeria’s participation in an international training programme on pastoral market access and inclusive contracting models held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

According to the Minister, the training, organised under the auspices of the African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources and the African Pastoral Market Development Platform, provided valuable insights into strengthening livestock value chains, improving market systems and promoting quality assurance mechanisms across Africa.

Leader of the ABIS delegation, Ambassador Emmanuel Usman, commended the Ministry for facilitating the group’s participation in the training programme, which brought together delegates from Somalia, Botswana, Ethiopia and Kenya.

Also speaking, LPRES National Coordinator, Sanusi Abubakar, appreciated the Minister for supporting collaboration and inclusiveness in the livestock sector.

The General Manager of ABIS Group, Mr. Kujo Reigans, highlighted key lessons from the training, including the need for a unified quality assurance system, structured outgrower schemes and improved access to funding opportunities through the Development Bank of Nigeria.

He stated that these measures would enhance efficiency, traceability and competitiveness within Nigeria’s livestock industry.

The ABIS team also raised concerns over visa bottlenecks affecting expatriates working on the Abuja Mega Livestock Processing Facility project, calling for streamlined visa processes to ease project implementation and support the timely delivery of the agro-industrial hub in the FCT.

Health

Pharmacists body urges FG to establish presidential committee for sector

The association noted that local drug production currently accounts for just over 38 percent of national demand, far below the 70 percent target set in the National Drug Policy 2021.

Published

3 weeks ago

April 23, 2026

OCHEFA

103 Views

The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) urges the Federal Government to establish a presidential committee dedicated to the pharmaceutical sector, implementing the National Drug Distribution Guidelines, and strengthening existing laws against fake drugs.

ACPN made the call while reacting to the government’s recent ban on imported drugs, describing the move as a strategic step toward strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing and conserving foreign exchange.

In a statement jointly signed by its National Chairman, Ambrose Ezeh and National Secretary, Omokhafe Ashore, the association said the updated prohibition schedule covering drugs under HS Codes 3003.10.00.00 through 3004.90.00 signals renewed commitment to protecting domestic industry players.

The ACPN specifically highlighted the ban on the importation of commonly used medicines such as paracetamol tablets and syrups, metronidazole, clotrimazole, chloroquine, multivitamins, aspirin and folic acid, as well as topical preparations like penicillin and gentamycin ointments.

It described the development as a “step in the right direction” that would boost investor confidence in Nigeria’s pharmaceutical sector.

The association noted that local drug production currently accounts for just over 38 percent of national demand, far below the 70 percent target set in the National Drug Policy 2021.

It attributed this gap partly to continued dependence on imports, especially from China and India, which it said accounts for about 65 per cent of drug supply in the country.

It also urged reforms in pharmaceutical education and training to expand the pool of skilled professionals across industry, clinical, hospital and community practice.