Kano Lawmaker Sounds Alarm Over Child Deaths in Rano LGA

The Kano State House of Assembly has urged Governor Abba Yusuf to act quickly to manage a serious diphtheria outbreak. This outbreak has reportedly caused the deaths of many children in the Rano Local Government Area (LGA).

The call for action came after a motion by Ibrahim Muhammad, the lawmaker for Rano Constituency. He raised the issue during a plenary session led by Speaker Ismail Falgore on Monday.

Mr Muhammad explained that the Ridin and Sabuwar Kaura communities have been hit the hardest, leading to multiple deaths among children.

He stated that the scale of this outbreak needs a stronger emergency response.

“Although initial emergency measures have been taken, including the procurement of medication and deployment of health workers, further intervention is critical to containing this outbreak,” Mr Muhammad said during the meeting.

He urged the governor and the Commissioner for Health to send more emergency help and medical supplies to the affected areas.

The lawmaker expressed worry about the disease returning, recalling that a similar outbreak led to many deaths in the constituency last year.

Usman Tasiu, who represents Kiru Constituency, supported the motion. He shared that the infection has spread beyond Rano, affecting nearby Kiru communities like Kwarin Dangora, Dangora town, and Yelwa.

Mr Tasiu highlighted the human cost of the situation, noting that a local leader in Kiru lost two children to the disease in just one day.

He called for the quick creation of a joint emergency task force. This task force would work to coordinate efforts to contain the disease across Rano, Tudun Wada, Kibiya, Bunkure, Bebeji, and Kiru LGAs.

Saleh Ahmad, representing Dawakin Tofa Constituency, joined the discussion. He pointed out how contagious diphtheria is and urged the government to quickly increase vaccination efforts and health measures before the outbreak spreads further.

House Majority Leader Lawan Husseini suggested that the executive branch use the provisions of Kano State’s Health Protection Law.

He mentioned that this law allows the government to provide free healthcare, offer emergency relief, isolate affected areas, and limit movement if needed to control infections.

After discussing the matter, the House unanimously approved the motion. They directed the Committee on Health to work with the Ministry of Health to enforce the Health Protection Law and provide immediate aid to the affected areas.

Abubakar Nabulisi, the spokesperson for the state Ministry of Health, could not be reached for comments about the situation. His phone call did not connect on Tuesday afternoon.