Omotayo Adigun
The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to launch an extensive diphtheria vaccination campaign in schools nationwide, following a deadly outbreak at King’s College, Lagos.
The resolution came after a motion of urgent public importance was raised by the House spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, in response to the tragic death of a 12-year-old student and the hospitalization of several others due to the outbreak.
During the debate, Rotimi stressed the urgent need for stronger infection prevention and control (IPC) measures in schools, particularly federal unity colleges, which he said have revealed significant lapses in disease management.
Key Resolutions by the House:
Enhanced Health and Safety Protocols: The Federal Ministry of Education must immediately strengthen health and safety measures in all federal unity colleges, while also addressing gaps identified at King’s College.
Nationwide Vaccination and Awareness Drive: The Federal Ministry of Health, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) should ramp up diphtheria vaccination and public awareness campaigns in schools to prevent further outbreaks.
Review of Health Infrastructure: The Ministry of Education is tasked with conducting an urgent assessment of health facilities in unity colleges and establishing a clear response framework for infectious disease outbreaks.
READ ALSO: Lagos Confirms Diphtheria Outbreak at Kings College, 12-Year-Old Dies
Disease Surveillance System: The NCDC is mandated to implement a structured disease monitoring system in federal unity colleges to ensure early detection and rapid response to future outbreaks.
Support for the Victim’s Family: The Federal Government is urged to provide appropriate compensation to the family of the deceased student.
The House also commended the Lagos State Government, the NCDC, and other health agencies for their swift response to the crisis.
Rotimi further informed lawmakers that, according to the NCDC’s Weekly Diphtheria Situation Report of January 26, 2025, a total of 24,804 confirmed cases of diphtheria had been reported across 25 states in Nigeria from Week 19 of 2022 to Week 4 of 2025, with 1,269 fatalities recorded across 18 states.
The outbreak at King’s College has heightened concerns over public health safety in schools, reinforcing the need for urgent intervention to prevent further loss of lives.