The Edo State Government has confirmed the detection of 15 suspected cases of diphtheria, with six individuals testing positive and three deaths recorded thus far.<\/p>\n
This disclosure was made by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Oshiomhole, during the official launch of the state\u2019s Rural Healthcare Initiative. He noted that the government is responding proactively to the current diphtheria outbreak and other emerging Health <\/a>threats across the state.<\/p>\n Dr Oshiomhole revealed that the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, has commenced a comprehensive statewide surveillance and vaccination campaign aimed at curbing the spread of the disease.<\/p>\n He emphasised that the government is not waiting for the situation to escalate before taking action. Instead, targeted interventions are already underway, including widespread community sensitisation, the administration of booster vaccines, and early response measures. He stated that diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease and urged residents to take preventive measures seriously.<\/p>\n The Health <\/a>Commissioner also highlighted that the current administration has initiated one of the most ambitious and inclusive Health <\/a>sector reforms in the state\u2019s history. Central to these reforms is a grassroots-focused Health <\/a>insurance model, specifically designed to extend subsidised healthcare coverage to underserved rural communities that previously lacked access to essential medical services.<\/p>\n Describing the initiative as a \u201csustainable social investment,\u201d Dr Oshiomhole said the programme is structured to provide long-term financial support for the revitalisation of primary healthcare facilities across the state.<\/p>\n He noted that, with a robust and well-funded insurance scheme, the government is working towards the comprehensive rehabilitation of Health <\/a>infrastructure, ensuring that facilities are fully operational, adequately staffed, and transparent in their operations.<\/p>\n