By Folasade Akpan

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Nigeria, says it has deployed 9.3 million doses of diphtheria vaccines to affected states as support to the Federal Government to help combat the outbreak.

A statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, by UNICEF’s Communication Assistant, Nchekwube Nwosu-Igbo, said that a crucial part of the support includes the procurement of vaccines to support the government’s response.

“So far, on behalf of the government, UNICEF has deployed 9.3 million doses of diphtheria vaccines to affected states including Kano, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Katsina, Kaduna and Jigawa.

“Of these, four million doses have been dispatched to Kano, the epicentre of the outbreak, another four million doses of vaccines are being procured and will be handed over to government in the coming weeks,” it said.

It also said that to respond effectively to the outbreak, UNICEF Nigeria needs to raise an additional 3.3 million U.S. dollars until the end of the year.

The organisation said that the outbreak is the most severe diphtheria outbreak in recent global history and that it was “sounding the alarm about the urgent need for widespread vaccination”.

It added that so far, the outbreak had  resulted in over 11,500 suspected cases, more than 7,000 confirmed cases and claimed the lives of 453 people, mostly children.

It also said that most cases are children aged between four to 15 years who have not received even a single dose of the vital vaccine, laying bare the urgency of the vaccination situation in Nigeria.

UNICEF Representative, Dr Rownak Khan, was quoted in the statement as saying that “the devastating impact of this diphtheria outbreak is a grim reminder of the importance of vaccination.

“Nigeria is home to a staggering 2.2 million children who have not received even a single dose of vaccine, the second largest such cohort in the world.

“We must collectively take urgent actions to drastically reduce this number. Every child deserves protection from preventable diseases. This is not negotiable.”

The organisation, however, called on partners, stakeholders and the international community to rally together to ensure that every child in Nigeria is reached with life-saving vaccines.

It laid emphasis on the importance of strengthening routine immunisation, community engagement and health systems to avoid similar outbreaks in the future.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that diphtheria is caused by bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The bacteria produces a toxin that causes severe damage to the respiratory system, heart, skin and other organs.

The disease, which has an incubation period of usually two to five days after exposure, can extend to 10 days in some cases.

According to an advisory by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, “everyone is at risk of getting infected with diphtheria, especially children under five years and adults above 60 years.

“Also, children who have not completed three doses of the Pentavalent vaccination, people living in crowded areas, people that practice poor personal hygiene and people living in areas with poor environmental hygiene and sanitary condition are also vulnerable.

“Additionally, people with weak immune system, people that travel to infected areas, people living in areas with poor access to health facility, people caring or having close contact with infected persons with diphtheria and healthcare workers in endemic areas are also at risk.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

By Folasade Akpan

The Federal Government has called on the global oncology community to support it in closing cancer health disparity in the country and other Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC).

The Director-General, National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Prof. Usman Aliyu, made the call on Tuesday at the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Centre Community Outreach and Engagement Cancer Research Showcase at Florida, USA.

The paper was titled: ‘Establishment of National Cancer Institute in Low and Middle Income Countries : A Strategic Step in Addressing Cancer Health Disparity’.

Aliyu in the paper made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said the establishment of National Cancer Institutes in LMICs is a strategic step to bridging the gap in cancer care disparities.

He said that by prioritising research, early detection, treatment, palliative care and public awareness, cancer institutes could significantly improve cancer outcomes for millions of people.

“Let us unite our efforts, advocate for change and work towards a future where equitable cancer care is accessible to all, regardless of where they live or their socio-economic status.

“Together, we can make a difference and save countless lives from the burden of cancer,” he said.

Aliyu said that cancer is globally recognised as one of the leading Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and a major contributor of morbidity and mortality, with an estimate of over 19.3 million new cases and almost 10 million deaths in 2020.

He added that LMICs are disproportionately affected, with high mortality rates and inadequate access to quality cancer care.

He also said that the number of new cases is expected to rise by 70 per cent in the next two decades with the highest proportion in LMICs where survival rates are less than half of those in developed countries.

“In Nigeria, cancer is responsible for more than 72,000 deaths every year, with an estimated 102,000 new cases of cancer annually,” he said.

He defined LMICs to be nations with per capita gross national income of less than 13,205 dollars and that they comprise more than two-thirds of the countries in the world.

He said that they also house more than six billion people out of the projected 8.0 billion world population by 2023.

According to him, supporting these LMICs is important because they have limited access to preventive measures, early detection, diagnostics, treatment options and supportive care services.

He also said that they have inadequate infrastructure, shortage of skilled healthcare professionals, financial constraints and cultural barriers that hinder effective cancer management.

He added that they represent more than one-third of global Gross Domestic Product and make up a major engine of global economic growth.

Aliyu, however, said that cancer care in Nigeria had evolutionised over the years by raising awareness and providing limited treatment options as well as other activities to control the burden of the disease.

He added that the establishment of NICRAT by the Federal Government was in recognition of the need for a more coordinated and multi-sectorial response to the growing cancer burden in Nigeria.

“The institution activities are targeted at addressing the gaps in cancer care in Nigeria.

“It focuses on raising public awareness, research, prevention, education, treatment, and support services.

“The institute plays a crucial role in bridging the disparities and ensuring improved cancer care nationwide,” he said.

He said that the institute is streamlining and prioritising research efforts to improve treatment outcomes, develop new interventions and better understand the epidemiology of cancer in Nigeria and bridge research-to-practice gaps.

He added that by conducting studies and collaborating with national and international partners, NICRAT would ensure advancing cancer care practices and tailoring them to the Nigerian context.

The DG, however, said that in spite of all these, challenges such as funding, building and maintaining infrastructure, workforce development and changing cultural perceptions persist.

“Overcoming these challenges would therefore require collaboration with governments, international organisations, the private sector and civil society organisations,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)