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Nigeria intensifies cross border immunization, with special focus on nomadic populations

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In renewed efforts to vaccinate children traversing in and out of Nigeria, the World Health Organization (WHO) is supporting the government in an initiative to improve supplemental and routine immunization activities in the North Western region, which has a significant nomadic population.

Nomadic pastoralists live beyond the reach of established health care programs that are designed to serve sedentary populations. As a result, these groups are often under-immunized and out of the reach of existing disease surveillance activities.

Speaking on the intervention, Mallam Gwanda Mairakuma of Maiadua local government in Niger Republic said that, “with this intensified commitment, vaccination activities have reduced the number of complications associated with Measles infection on our children”.

Tracking nomadic populations

Difficulties have been experienced in the past in tracking and reaching nomadic populations with services such as sensitization on early disease reporting, immunization activities and access to general healthcare services due largely to the nature of their movement, which often involves settling in hard-to-reach transit camps.

Reaching the nomadic population in the cross border areas of the North Western region has been particularly difficult due to the nature of the population which involves settling in hard to reach and sometimes security compromised areas, making the zone the highest with under-immunized children in the country. Jigawa and Katsina states in particular are maximizing efforts in reaching these populations by identifying major migrant groups and characterizing the movement of nomadic populations in the region for effective administration of vaccines.

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In collaboration with Katsina State government, WHO has intensified efforts to reach nomadic communities across the state with immunization services, sensitization on prompt disease reporting and on the need to access health care services. The nomadic settlements span across 14 Local Government Areas (LGAs), wards and settlements passing through international borders with Niger republic. LGAs with nomadic routes include: Baure, Dutsinma, Kafur, Ingawa, Kaita, Jibia, Mashi, Charanchi, Musawa, Batsari, Maiadua, Zango, Danja, Kusada LGAs among others.

These communities are among the most marginalized, hard to reach and nomadic in nature who migrate across LGAs, States and international borders due to their transitory movement and settlement in camps and hamlets. The State conducts series of activities to enhance immunity and interrupt transmission of Polio and other priority diseases along transit exit points and settlements with nomadic routes through immunization. Jigawa State also shares international borders with Niger republic in two LGAs namely, Sule tankarkar and Maigatari.

“WHO Nigeria supported a 10km strip vaccination along Nigeria-Niger border, using mOPV2 in October 2018 which was conducted along with vaccination at border cross points in March through April 2019,” says Dr Audu Sunday, WHO Jigawa State Coordinator.

“WHO has also supported Jigawa state to establish in-between round vaccination teams providing routine immunization, polio vaccination and Measles vaccines along the border cross points as well as the Maigatari international market. Disease surveillance officers of both countries also conduct joint visits to health facilities in communities at the border using Standard operating procedures for cross border notification of VPDs,” he adds.

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High numbers of high risk children vaccinated

In Katsina state, 1,645 eligible nomadic children were reached during nomadic vaccinations in Ingawa and Maiadua LGAs between April and June 2019 from the conduct of Outbreak Response (OBR) and in between rounds, respectively.

For the same period in Jigawa State, 6,280 Nigerien and 5,115 Nigerian children were vaccinated at the border crossing points. At least 8,608 children were vaccinated with mOPV2 in the 10km strip outbreak response in October 2018 in two districts of Niger Republic (Dungas and Magaria).

Meanwhile, for in-between round activities at the border 10,183 children received bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV) while 3,358 were vaccinated with Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) as well as 1,035 with measles vaccine.

The Director Primary Health Care (DPHC) Jigawa State, Dr Shehu Sambo during a supportive supervision to Miga LGA appreciated WHO’s support in establishing the nomadic vaccination. “We are happy with WHO’s support and encourage health workers to take the opportunity to improve routine immunization coverage across the State.”

Support for Polio eradication to Nigeria through WHO, is made possible by funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Department for International Development (DFID – UK), European Union, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Government of Germany through KfW Bank, Global Affairs Canada, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Community Chest Korea, KOFIH (Korea), Rotary International and the World Bank.

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Photos: Saudi Medical Team Make History, Separate Nigerian Conjoined Twins

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In a monumental achievement for medical science, a team of Saudi professionals at the King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital has completed the separation surgery of Nigerian conjoined twins, Hassana and Husaina.

The directive for this historic achievement came from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, demonstrating the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing healthcare.

The complex procedure, initiated on Thursday morning, was the result of meticulous planning and execution by a dedicated team of 38 medical experts. This group included consultants, specialists, technicians, and nursing staff, all working in harmony to address shared areas in the lower abdomen, pelvis, lower spine, and lower spinal nerves of the twins.

The surgery, unfolding in nine carefully planned stages, lasted approximately 14 hours. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Advisor at the Royal Court, Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), and head of the medical team, expressed confidence in the success of the procedure, citing a noteworthy 70% success rate.

“This is a momentous occasion that showcases the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing medical science and providing compassionate healthcare globally,” he said.

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The successful separation of Hassana and Husaina commemorates the 60th operation conducted by the Saudi programme for separating conjoined twins. Over the past 34 years, this programme has offered care to 135 conjoined twins from 25 countries.

Dr. Al Rabeeah expressed heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the Saudi leadership for their steadfast support of the programme.

He said, “The successful separation of Hassana and Husaina exemplifies the Kingdom’s dedication to humanitarian causes and its role as a leader in global healthcare.”

The Press Attaché at the Saudi embassy in Abuja, Mohammed Alsahabi, remarked on the accomplishment, stating, “This remarkable feat underscores the strong collaboration between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria in healthcare. We take pride in contributing to the improvement of these twins’ lives and their families.”

The separation of Hassana and Husaina represents not just a medical triumph but also serves as a symbol of hope for numerous individuals confronting similar challenges globally.

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Health

Pregnant Girls Rescued in Anambra’s Baby Factory Raid { Photos}

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Five pregnant girls ranging from 14 to 21 years were rescued by security operatives during a raid on the facility on February 7, 2024.

Security operatives in Umunya, Anambra State, have rescued no fewer than five pregnant girls during a raid on a baby factory.

The joint effort, orchestrated by the Anambra State Ministry of Health and regional security agencies, uncovered a disturbing reality behind the facade of the facility.

The facility is identified as ‘Mother and Child Hospital and Maternity located on a road along the Tansian University, Umunya

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, revealed during a Wednesday briefing that the establishment, named ‘Mother and Child Hospital and Maternity’ along a road near Tansian University, Umunya, was deceptively operating as a hospital while serving as a hub for child trafficking.

“We found that some hospitals that are not registered are operating in the state. We have created data that will capture the hospitals in the state so that people will be able to have quality, good healthcare.

The Anambra State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, briefs journalists.

“Unfortunately, in one of the hospitals that we came for inspection, we found out that in our data system, they were not registered. We came here to verify and look at what is happening,” the commissioner said.

Obidike said the facility lacked registration with the Anambra State Government, adding that seven nurses on duty fled during the raid.

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The commissioner specified the ages of the victims, ranging from 14 to 21 years, stressing Governor Charles Soludo’s commitment to addressing this menace.

Five pregnant girls ranging from 14 to 21 years were rescued by security operatives during a raid on the facility on February 7, 2024.

“Unfortunately, the hospital is not registered and activities are suspected to be very fraudulent. So we decided to just see the senior doctor in the hospital and all the seven nurses.

“They locked us outside. Before they opened the gate, they followed the back and ran away. Seven to eight of them ran away. We saw little girls here that are pregnant, some of them ranging from 14, 15, 16 and 21 years,” he added.

 

 

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Health

Diphtheria Outbreak Claims 10 Lives in Jigawa

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In a tragic turn of events, Jigawa State has been hit by an outbreak of diphtheria, with at least 10 people losing their lives.

The outbreak has spread across 14 local government areas, raising concerns among health officials and the local population.

The State Ministry of Health officially confirmed the outbreak during a press briefing held in Dutse on a somber Sunday.

Dr. Salisu Mu’azu, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, revealed that, as of now, two cases have been officially confirmed in Kazaure and Jahun local government areas.

However, the situation is far from contained as an alarming 91 suspected cases are under investigation, with samples sent to Abuja for confirmation. What makes this outbreak particularly troubling is that it has struck areas with a history of zero-dose routine immunization against diphtheria.

“So far, we have confirmed two cases in Kazaure and Jahun local government areas, while additional samples have been sent to Abuja for confirmation,” he said.

Dr. Mu’azu emphasized the urgency of the situation, prompting the ministry to launch a swift investigation, collecting crucial information and data from the affected regions.

Authorities wasted no time in alerting the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHDA) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to coordinate a comprehensive response.

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“The state government is actively preparing to administer vaccines as soon as they become available”, Mu’azu stressed the urgency of the situation.

The roots of this outbreak can be traced to the disruptions in healthcare services caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The suspension of routine immunization during that period has posed a significant challenge in combating such epidemics.

In response, the NPHDA and NCDC have taken a proactive approach, closely monitoring the situation and collaborating closely with the State Ministry of Health to ensure a swift and effective response aimed at containing the outbreak.

Local communities have been urged to remain vigilant and strictly adhere to any directives issued by health authorities to mitigate the further spread of diphtheria.

The tragic loss of lives in Jigawa State serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of maintaining robust healthcare systems, even during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic.

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