Nigeria: Niger Records 124 Diphtheria Cases, 17 Deaths - Commissioner

What the report says

Niger State has confirmed 124 diphtheria cases and 17 deaths across three local government areas, according to Health Commissioner Murtala Bagana. The information was given on Friday at a second-quarter press briefing in Minna, where he said the cases were reported over the past seven months in Bida, Suleja and Shiroro.

Bagana said 103 patients had recovered and been discharged, while three additional cases were recently detected and one patient was still receiving care. He said the state was stepping up disease surveillance, treatment, immunisation and public awareness to slow transmission. He also urged parents and caregivers to ensure children receive routine vaccines, noting that immunisation remains a key defence against diphtheria and other preventable illnesses.

The commissioner used the briefing to outline broader health-sector efforts in Niger State under Governor Mohammed Bago’s administration. These include upgrades to primary healthcare centres, free treatment for some accident and snake-bite victims, free Caesarean sections at selected facilities and no-cost vaccines at primary healthcare centres. He also said arrangements were being made for temporary clinical training facilities for Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University medical students in Minna, while the permanent teaching hospital project moves forward.

In a separate update, an official said measles cases had fallen this year to 31, with two deaths recorded. The state also said it had recruited consultant doctors, secured malaria drugs through partnerships and carried out a free medical outreach, reflecting wider efforts to strengthen public health services.