The Zamfara State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), has intensified efforts to strengthen surveillance, preparedness and response to diphtheria and other vaccine-preventable diseases across the state.
The development was discussed during a Surveillance and Routine Immunization (RI) Review Meeting held with Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (DSNOs) and Assistant Disease Surveillance and Notification Officers (ADSNOs).
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The meeting reviewed surveillance activities on Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP), vaccine-preventable diseases and Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) documentation ahead of the forthcoming OBR documentation exercise.
Speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Nafisa Muhammad Maradun, said the session also assessed the ongoing response to suspected diphtheria cases and explored integrated strategies to prevent further transmission within communities.
Maradun, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Rilwanu Zurmi, urged surveillance officers to intensify case detection and ensure the prompt collection and submission of samples from suspected diphtheria cases for laboratory confirmation.
She emphasized that proper and timely sample collection was critical to accurate diagnosis, reliable epidemiological data and the implementation of appropriate public health interventions.
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The Commissioner also directed surveillance officers to promptly investigate suspected cases, ensure the proper collection and transportation of samples to designated laboratories, and strengthen disease reporting from health facilities and communities.
She called for closer collaboration among surveillance officers, healthcare facilities, laboratory personnel and development partners to enhance disease detection and response.
Also speaking, the WHO State Coordinator in Zamfara, Dr Raji Mukhtar, called for improved case management of suspected diphtheria cases at healthcare facilities.
Dr Mukhtar further stressed the need for intensified contact tracing and prompt sharing of information on suspected cases to facilitate timely investigation and intervention.
He said, “Any surveillance information received should be brought forward so that appropriate action can be taken.”
The WHO State Coordinator assured the Ministry of continued technical support in surveillance, laboratory confirmation, contact tracing, case management and timely response to suspected cases.
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The state government and development partners reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening surveillance and coordination mechanisms to prevent and control diphtheria and other vaccine-preventable diseases in Zamfara State.