Due to the recent outbreak of diphtheria, which has claimed the lives of about 30 children in Mbutu Mbaise community in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, Imo State, in less than two weeks, the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Health, has moved a team of medical personnel to the community.
The visit of the team of medical professionals will help to stem the spread of the disease further, consolidate on what has already been achieved by the Imo State Ministry of Health and the Health Department in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Council and ensure complete eradication of diphtheria in Mbutu Mbaise.
To ensure grassroots mobilisation of the people to Mbutu Mbaise Health Centre where the team of health professionals, made up of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and others, Leo Obi Nwaigwe, the Mayor of Mbutu, called on all citizens and informed them about the visit of the team of doctors and other health professionals to the Mbutu community.
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According to the Mayor, the team arrived in the Mbutu community on Tuesday, 3rd of June 2025 and would stay and work for ten days to consolidate on the work already done by the Aboh Mbaise Local Government Health Department and the Imo State Ministry of Health.
He further stated that by God’s help, the visit of the team of health professionals would ensure that the recent outbreak of diphtheria in the community would be completely eradicated.
He stated in his note posted in Mbutu Mbaise People’s Assembly that “apart from the diphtheria, other diseases and ailments would be treated.
“Those that would need to be kept and treated as in-house patients would get the treatment, while others would be given drugs according to the nature of their ailments after routine medical checks.”
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He further reminded the citizens why it is necessary for those who are sick to come out en masse, as staying at home during this important visit would portray a mark of not being serious “on our part, which may affect us when next we call for help”.
To further ensure adequate mobilisation of the people to bring the sick to the Mbutu Health Centre, Church denominations in the community have joined to send messages, appealing to parents to bring their children and wards to the Mbutu Health Centre for treatment.
Consequently, Christogonus Nwaele, the Reverend Father in charge of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Mbutu Mbaise, had, through the MMPA platform, urged the people to bring their children and wards before the medical personnel from the Federal Ministry of Health for treatment.
