The African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, has called on the state government to urgently clarify reports of deaths allegedly linked to suspected diphtheria cases across the state.

Dan’iya, in a statement issued by his media aide, Aminu Abdullahi, expressed concern over reports that more than 50 children may have died from suspected complications of the disease. He, however, stressed that the figure must be verified by relevant health authorities before it can be regarded as confirmed.

He said families affected by the outbreak deserve accurate information on the number of suspected and confirmed cases, deaths, recoveries and patients currently receiving treatment.

The call followed concerns raised by residents in communities including Kwalkwalawa and Rikina, where residents have reported deaths of children following symptoms they believed were associated with diphtheria.

Dan’iya urged the Sokoto State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and other relevant agencies, to intensify disease surveillance, laboratory testing, contact tracing, vaccination and treatment of suspected cases.

He also called for properly equipped isolation and treatment centres, adequate medicines and medical personnel, as well as stronger coordination among hospitals, schools and communities.

The ADC candidate further urged the government to intensify public awareness campaigns through radio and television stations, schools, mosques, traditional institutions, health workers and community leaders.

He called for regular publication of situation reports containing verified information on suspected and confirmed cases, deaths, affected communities and local government areas, treatment centres, vaccination coverage and available medical supplies.

Meanwhile, efforts to obtain a response from the Sokoto State Ministry of Health were reportedly unsuccessful as of the time of filing the report.

Earlier in September, the state government had placed schools on heightened alert over diphtheria concerns and directed school administrators to monitor suspected symptoms and promptly refer cases for medical assessment.

Dan’iya expressed sympathy with families who may have lost children or relatives and urged authorities to take immediate steps to prevent further transmission of the disease.