Kaduna, 11 April 2017 - Northern Traditional Leaders Committee on Primary Healthcare (NTLC), with support from the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), convened an emergency meeting with Governors of the 19 northern states and other stakeholders to discuss the management of the current outbreak of Neisseria Meningitidis serotype C. The major objective of the meeting aimed to devise holistic strategy to forestall fatalities and avert future occurrences.

The Emir of Zaria, Alhaji Shehu Idris who represented the Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the NTLC at the meeting in Kaduna on 11 April 2017, noted that the number of fatalities, was “unacceptably high” but added that the crucial gathering was convened  in fulfilment of their customary roles and responsibilities as custodians of society.

As at 10 April 2017, 4,637 suspected meningitis cases with 489 deaths have been reported across Nigeria.  Zamfara, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger and Sokoto in Northwest and Northcentral zones account for  95% cases reported nationwide. Reactive vaccination campaign, targeted at the outbreak of Neisseria Meningitidis serotype C going on in targeted wards of Zamfara and Katsina states.

To forestall future occurrences, NTLC members strongly called on the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to meet with the 25 countries in the ‘Meningitis Belt’ to conduct synchronized campaigns using conjugate polyvalent vaccine rather than the usual monovalent and polysaccharide vaccine. Additionally, the paramount rulers urged FGN to always be more proactive and also position treatment drugs and strengthen surveillance for meningitis as well as being prepared for vaccination of susceptible populations, especially children, around the seasonal outbreak.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, the host Governor, His Excellency Malam Nasir EL-Rufai of Kaduna state noted that interventions by FMOH and partners reduced the high mortality due to new strain of the  organism previously not implicated in epidemics in the north. The Governor commended World Health Organization (WHO) for facilitating the  mobilization of  vaccines from the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision (ICG), providing supplies (pastorex kits, TI bottles, spinal needles and other consumables), supporting government to  preposition drugs, support for surveillance and epidemiological analysis  and building capacity of healthcare workers on case detection, case management and infection prevention and control.

Earlier, the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole appreciated the traditional leaders for rising up to the occasion. He however emphasized the need to identify and respond to any alert threshold even if only one suspected case is reported. He stated that while government is exploring the possibility of  producing vaccines locally, need exists for community sensitization on early case identification.

 In a goodwill message, the WHO Country Representative to Nigeria, Dr Wondimagegnehu Alemu, commended the NTLC for their individual roles in disease control and prevention. He directed the attention of the participants to the fact that most deaths arising from the current outbreak would have been averted with  strong surveillance system in Zamfara and Sokoto states.

Dr Alemu called on the traditional leaders to utilize mobilization machinery at their disposal to create awareness and strengthen community surveillance not only for meningitis, but for other diseases.

Governors and paramount traditional rulers from the 19 northern states attended the meeting. Funding for the emergency meeting was provided by  Bill & Melinda Gates foundation which funds NTLC engagement for polio eradication activities, while WHO provides the required technical support.

_______________________________________________________________

For more information, please contact:

Technical contacts:

Dr Mary Stephen; Tel: +234 803 639 1332; Email:  stephenm [at] who.int" target="_blank"> stephenm [at] who.int
Mr Abdullahi Galadima;  Tel; 803 703 7484; Email: galadimaa [at] who.int " target="_blank">   galadimaa [at] who.int
Media contact:

Ms  Charity Warigon; Tel: +234 810 221 0093; Email: warigonc [at] who.int" target="_blank">  warigonc [at] who.int
Below:

01 NTLC members at the meeting in Kaduna

02 L-R  Permanent Secretary FMOH, Minister of Health, Governors of Kaduna,  Zamfara and Sokoto and

03 Dr Alemu (3rd Left) at the NTLC meeting