The Senate has urged the Federal Ministry of Health, National Centre for Disease Control and National Primary Health Care Development Agency to curb the spread of Diphtheria in the country.
It also mandated the federal government to increase funding for the institution involved in the production and distribution of vaccines to effectively tackle the prevalence of communicable diseases in the country, according to Blueprint.
This came on the premise of the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Sunday Katung.
He raised an alarm over the spread of Diphtheria in Kaduna, which has resulted in several deaths in the state and its environs.
He lamented that airborne diseases which can also be transmitted via fluid exchange have become a major health challenge that requires urgent government attention.
He explained that diphtheria is a highly contagious, infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Corynebacterium diphtheria rendering infected people struck with serious breathing and swallowing problems that may develop sores on the skin.
The senate had resolved that the relevant health agencies should work with other health ministries with the view to curbing the spread of the dreaded disease not only in Kaduna State but to other states of the federation.
