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Renewed Commitment to Combat Diphtheria Across African Nations
Brazzaville – Amid a troubling resurgence of diphtheria affecting eight African Member States, health ministers have reaffirmed their dedication to eradicating this entirely vaccine-preventable disease. This renewed political will aims to curb the spread and protect vulnerable populations through strengthened immunization efforts.
High-Level Advocacy Meeting Spurs Unified Action
Convened by Dr. Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, a strategic meeting gathered Ministers of Health and senior officials from Chad, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, and South Africa-countries currently grappling with diphtheria outbreaks. Key partners such as UNICEF, GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, and Africa CDC also participated, emphasizing a collaborative approach to tackling the crisis.
Addressing Immunization Gaps and Strengthening Health Systems
More than 90% of diphtheria cases have been reported among children who are either unvaccinated or inadequately immunized, underscoring persistent deficiencies in routine vaccination coverage and access to essential healthcare services. Dr. Janabi highlighted, “With the vaccines and expertise available today, the scale of this outbreak is unacceptable. No child should succumb to a preventable illness.”
WHO continues to assist Member States by enhancing disease surveillance, facilitating laboratory confirmations, improving clinical care, coordinating vaccination campaigns, and managing the distribution of limited diphtheria antitoxin (DAT) supplies. Nonetheless, challenges such as insufficient funding, limited laboratory infrastructure, delayed case detection, and restricted access to DAT and antibiotics hinder progress.
Systemic Challenges Amplify Diphtheria’s Impact
The resurgence of diphtheria reflects deeper systemic weaknesses, including stagnant immunization rates and fragile primary healthcare frameworks exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic’s aftermath. In regions affected by conflict and displacement, insecurity and disrupted health services further impede timely diagnosis and treatment, allowing outbreaks to escalate unchecked.
Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, emphasized the importance of community involvement and local vaccine production, stating, “Empowering communities and expanding Africa’s vaccine manufacturing capacity are vital steps toward resilient immunization programs and robust primary healthcare.”
Strategic Priorities and Collaborative Solutions
Participants exchanged insights on country-specific experiences and identified critical obstacles requiring sustained political and financial commitment. Key priorities include:
- Implementing large-scale catch-up vaccination campaigns to close immunity gaps
- Enhancing surveillance systems and laboratory capabilities for prompt outbreak detection
- Improving clinical management protocols to reduce mortality rates
- Ensuring consistent availability of essential medicines, including DAT and antibiotics
Minister Mohamed Mahmoud Ely Mahmoud of Mauritania expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from WHO, Africa CDC, and partners, emphasizing the necessity of coordinated efforts to protect vulnerable populations through timely detection and response.
A Call to Action: Prioritizing Diphtheria Elimination
The meeting concluded with a resolute appeal from Dr. Janabi for all governments to prioritize diphtheria elimination. He stressed that safeguarding every child and community from vaccine-preventable diseases is achievable through decisive measures to bolster surveillance, expand immunization coverage, and ensure rapid outbreak response across the continent.
Current Context and Future Outlook
Recent WHO data indicates that while global diphtheria cases have declined over the past decade, localized outbreaks in Africa highlight the urgent need for renewed focus on immunization equity. For example, Nigeria reported a 15% increase in diphtheria cases in 2023 compared to the previous year, underscoring the fragility of health systems in certain regions.
Innovative approaches, such as mobile vaccination clinics and community health worker engagement, are being piloted to reach remote and conflict-affected populations. These efforts, combined with increased investment in local vaccine production facilities, aim to create sustainable solutions that will prevent future outbreaks and save lives.
