By Angela Amos
Following outbreak of Diphtheria in Kano state, the Nigerian Red Cross Society of Nigeria, (NRCSN) has organised a four-day training for 220 volunteers on how to step down the disease in the state.
The branch Executive Secretary of the society, Alhaji Musa Abdullahi, disclosed this while declaring open the training in Kano, with the theme: “Three days step down, Stop Diphtheria.”
He said that training such high number of volunteers was to ensure that Diphtheria is wiped out not only in the currently identified locations with high cases of the disease, but across all the 44 local government areas.
“The aim of the training is to equip volunteers with necessary knowledge and skills in order to go back to their communities and sensitise the public.
“We selected 11 local government areas with high cases of Diphtheria for the exercise, but at the end of the training, all the local government areas will be covered.
“The local government areas are: Dala, Dawakin Kudu, Fagge, Gaya, Gezawa, Gwale, Kano municipal, Kumbotso, Nasarawa, Tarauni and Ungogo.
“After the training volunteers are expected go back to their communities and conduct house to house social mobilisation, community meetings and road show,”he said.
Dr. Ashiru Rajab, Director, Public Health, State Ministry of Health, represented by Malam Auwalu Dau, said the training is timely considering situation and need to sensitise the public
He appreciated the Nigeria Red Cross for supporting the state government and urged volunteers to work hand in hand with other partners on the field.
One of the participants, Sani Uba from Dala local government commended the Red Cross for their effort and promised to spread the information and sensitise the community to ensure that the disease is wiped out.
