Health
JUST-IN: Diphtheria Hits King’s College, Parents Blame Poor Hygiene
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.
Health
Bayelsa deploying 19 doctors, 210 nurses to strengthen primary healthcare centres
The commissioner said the deployment of doctors, nurses and midwives would make primary healthcare centres more attractive to residents and encourage women to seek professional care during childbirth.
| Bayelsa State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe
The Bayelsa State Government has said it will deploy 19 doctors, 210 nurses and midwives, 185 pharmacy technicians and about 50 laboratory medical technicians to primary healthcare centres across the state to strengthen clinical services at the grassroots.
The State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, disclosed this on Friday while speaking on the government’s efforts to improve healthcare delivery at the grassroots during a training organised by the Health Emergency Initiative, under the sponsorship of FIRST E&P, tagged First Respondent First Respondent Training and Medical Intervention Programme.
Brisibe said, “We are deploying 19 doctors, 210 nurses and midwives, 185 pharmacy technicians and about 50 laboratory medical technicians to strengthen the clinical component of our primary healthcare centres.”
He said the deployment was aimed at strengthening the clinical component of primary healthcare centres, which, according to him, were often largely run by community health extension workers and environmental health officers.
The commissioner said the deployment of doctors, nurses and midwives would make primary healthcare centres more attractive to residents and encourage women to seek professional care during childbirth.
Health
Gov Mbah Invest in world-class Enugu International Hospital
The hospital, equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and advanced digital and electronic systems, is expected to attract top medical professionals from Nigeria and around the world.
Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, says the Enugu International Hospital is designed to provide world-class healthcare services to people across all socioeconomic classes.
The Enugu International Hospital is located at Rangers Avenue, Independence Layout, Enugu.
Mbah stated this during a pre-launch tour of the facility ahead of its official commissioning.
The hospital, equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and advanced digital and electronic systems, is expected to attract top medical professionals from Nigeria and around the world.
The governor expressed satisfaction with the quality of the equipment installed at the facility, saying the investment would help position Enugu as a medical tourism hub in Nigeria.
He said the hospital would also help reduce the number of Nigerians travelling abroad for specialist medical treatment while creating an environment that would encourage Enugu-trained medical professionals to return home.
According to Mbah, several Enugu-qualified medical practitioners based abroad have already reached out to express interest in working at the international hospital and contributing to the development of the state’s health sector.
The governor further said the facility would create job opportunities for medical graduates, healthcare professionals and other workers, with the potential to boost economic activity in the state.
During the tour, Mbah inspected several specialist units, including the Precision Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Unit, specialised surgery theatres, intensive care units, advanced diagnostics and imaging, and renal care and dialysis facilities.
He also toured the cancer, heart and vascular, nuclear medicine and molecular imaging, neuroscience, and renal centres.
Accompanied by the Director of the facility, Professor Sam Agwu, and other specialists, the governor received briefings on the various services and specialist care the hospital is expected to provide.
The Enugu International Hospital operates as a comprehensive quaternary care facility with more than 300 beds and was established to provide world-class specialist healthcare.
The facility is expected to strengthen access to advanced medical care, support medical professionals, create employment and contribute to Enugu State’s emergence as a destination for medical tourism.
Health
Bayer to establish reproductive health commodities plant in Nigeria
The plant is expected to manufacture family planning commodities locally, reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported products, creating jobs and contributing to economic growth.
•The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate
Global pharmaceutical company, Bayer, is to establish a reproductive health commodities manufacturing plant in Nigeria, with the facility currently under construction in Anambra State.
The plant is expected to manufacture family planning commodities locally, reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported products, creating jobs and contributing to economic growth.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, disclosed this in Abuja at the inauguration of the High-Level Inter-Ministerial Platform (IMP) on Family Planning, Health, Human Capital and Sustainable National Development.
Pate described the investment as evidence that President Bola Tinubu’s Executive Order on the pharmaceutical sector was beginning to attract significant investments in local pharmaceutical manufacturing, diagnostics and health technology.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of FP2030 West and Central Africa Office, Dr Alain Damiba, described the initiative as a major step towards strengthening cross-sector collaboration to improve health outcomes and accelerate Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
Damiba commended the Federal Government for adopting a whole-of-government approach, noting that the new platform demonstrated that health and family planning were national development priorities and not issues that should be left to the health sector alone.
“Health, including family planning, is a smart investment in human capital and Nigeria’s future,” Damiba said.
Source: The Guardian Nigeria
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