Diphtheria: Every child deserves protection against preventable diseases – Alli tells Makinde 

The All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has described the recent diphtheria outbreak in the state as a public health concern requiring urgent attention.

Alli said the Oyo State Government, led by Governor Seyi Makinde, had a responsibility to protect children across the state against preventable diseases.

He made the remarks while reacting to reports of diphtheria cases in some local government areas of the state.

In a statement signed by the director of his campaign organisation, Bisi Oladele, and made available to DAILY POST in Ibadan on Tuesday, Alli expressed concern over the outbreak and called on Makinde to strengthen the state’s response.

The APC candidate urged the governor to provide a comprehensive account of efforts to protect children against vaccine-preventable diseases.

He described the outbreak as an urgent public health concern that required immediate attention, insisting that the protection of human lives must not be subordinated to political publicity.

Alli also called on the state’s director of public health to explain the factors contributing to the outbreak and account for resources spent on immunisation and outbreak prevention.

In the statement, Alli said, “The reported outbreak of diphtheria, with the associated concerns about cases and fatalities among children, should be a wake-up call for Oyo State. Every child deserves protection against vaccine-preventable diseases, and the government must demonstrate that its immunisation programme is reaching vulnerable communities effectively.

“This is an urgent public health concern that demands a clear and timely response. The protection of human lives must not be subordinated to political publicity. The Director of Public Health must explain to the people the factors driving these outbreaks and account for the resources expended so far on immunisation and outbreak prevention.”