Kebbi Deputy Governor calls for swift response to meningitis outbreak
The Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, has urged health officials and community leaders to act quickly and stop the spread of cerebrospinal meningitis in parts of the state.
Speaking on Tuesday, April 15, at the opening of a Joint Committee meeting in Birnin Kebbi, Senator Tafida — who also chairs the Joint Committee on Immunization, Primary Health Care, and Environmental Sanitation — highlighted the urgent need for coordinated efforts in Aliero, Jega, and other affected local government areas.
He stressed that as the state prepares for the next phase of routine immunization, now is the time to increase public awareness, especially about immunization and environmental hygiene.
“We must work together to ensure this outbreak is contained, and to protect our communities,” Tafida said.
He called on local government chairmen and traditional rulers to step up and mobilize their communities to support the health interventions already in motion.
The Deputy Governor also welcomed and congratulated newly inducted members of the Committee, reaffirming the administration’s commitment — under Governor Nasir Idris Kauran Gwandu — to improving primary healthcare in the state.
Representing the State Commissioner for Health, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Aliyu Nuhu Koko, confirmed that health teams are already responding to the outbreak in the affected areas and that lives have been lost.
“The timing of this meeting is critical, especially as we are about to roll out another round of immunizations targeting communicable diseases,” Dr. Koko noted.
He thanked the Deputy Governor for his presence and continued support despite the short notice.
The Joint Committee is made up of members from the health and environment ministries, donor agencies, traditional institutions, and local government authorities — all working together to protect public health in Kebbi State.
