Diphteria: Institute of Child Health Lauded for Championing Children Health Care

Edo State Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Dr. Stephenson Ojeifo has commended the Institute of Child Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH for what they have been doing in the health space for children.

The Director who made the commendation during the monthly seminar organized by the Institute of Child Health, at the UBTH in Benin City said the Department of Public Health will collaborate with the Institute to continue to be there for children.

“We commend the Institute Director, Prof. Ayebo Sadoh for the effort she puts in managing children and treating them as her child. We appeal that you sustain and train others to take after you.”

Dr. Ojeifo who was the Chairman of the seminar, titled, ” Is the strangling Angel of Children Back? Said ” we love our children, that is why mother’s are encouraged to take them for Vaccination.

According to him, ” the immunity of the children is compromised. We love our children, that is why we are encouraging mother’s to take their children for Vaccination to avoid the spread of Diphteria.

The guest speaker, Prof, (Mrs.) Ayebo Sadoh who is the Director of the Institute of Child Health, disclosed that Diphtheria was known as the Strangling Angel of Children.

“The current outbreak in Edo State is because children are under vaccinated. The fact that the affected child has been treated and discharged does not mean all is well.

” We continue to follow them up to three months and inform their parents of what to look out for in the child,” she noted.

According to Prof. Sadoh, “it is important for patients to be in the hospital on time when they are sick. They should avoid self medication. They should confirm what it is because it can be something else.

“There are clinical and respiratory features that affect the nose, throat and voice. There is painful swallowing, drolling of saliva, fever is low grade, but the patient look toxic.

“Diphteria caused by toxin producing strains kills by way of disrupting the air way and it affects the heart, cardiac involvement.”

She advised on the practice of cough hygiene by covering the mouth with the elbow when coughing to avoid spreading of the organism.

” Let everyone practice hand hygiene , avoid overcrowding, make sure there is good ventilation in the house, seek appropriate health care when somebody is complaining of soar throat and get the necessary vaccination.

While disclosing that Edo State government has responded to the recent outbreak, Prof. Sadoh said health care workers in private institutions should not discourage people from taking the Vaccines.

“Always refer patients to where they can get help, because the Diphteria Anti Toxin, DAT is not every where. It can be found in the Ministry of Health and the UBTH for now,” she added.