Korede Abdullah in Lagos
Two people have died from diphtheria at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Ugbowo, Edo State, raising alarms over Nigeria’s ongoing vaccine shortage.
The fatalities were among five reported cases, and health experts are attributing the deaths to critical gaps in immunisation, poor disease surveillance, and limited public health awareness.
Diphtheria, a highly contagious bacterial infection primarily affecting the throat and nose, can be deadly without timely treatment but is considered preventable through vaccination.
In response to the incident, Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole on Thursday in Benin City, convened an emergency meeting involving heads of key health institutions, including representatives from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
During the meeting, a rapid response team was activated to offer immediate, free treatment to affected residents.
Dr. Oshiomhole emphasised the urgent need for a coordinated and proactive approach, warning, “We cannot afford to be reactive, we must act swiftly and collaboratively.”
Expressing deep concern, Oshiomhole added, “Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease and its resurgence in our state raises concern about immunisation gap, surveillance lapses and public health awareness. These cases are not just numbers, they represent real family, real loss and danger to communities if they are left unchecked.”
He urged residents to ensure their children are fully immunized as a preventive measure, reinforcing the importance of vaccination in combating the spread of the disease.
