By 9japarrot
Health experts, Policymakers, and Public Health Stakeholders have advocated increased awareness and improved uptake of the Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus (DPT) vaccine as part of efforts to strengthen disease prevention and public health outcomes in Kwara State.
The call was made during a Stakeholders’ Briefing and Presentation of Diphtheria Vaccine Research and Awareness organised by Abdulrahman Opeyemi Abdulbasit, a Medical Laboratory Scientist at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), at the Ilorin Innovation Hub.
Abdulbasit, a First Class graduate of Achievers University, led the research project titled, “Enhancing Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus (DPT) Vaccine Uptake through Targeted Health Education in High-Traffic Community Spaces in Kwara State.”
Speaking in an interview, Abdulbasit explained that the research commenced in February 2026 with funding support from the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH) in partnership with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). He said the study focuses on improving DPT vaccine uptake in high-traffic communities and public spaces across Kwara State through targeted health education.
Earlier while presenting State-level operational updates during the session, the State Epidemiologist for the Kwara State Ministry of Health, Dr. Kamaldeen Khadeejah, detailed the progress made so far in managing and mitigating diphtheria risks, emphasizing that public education remains vital to sustaining low infection rates.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Medical Director of Sobi Specialist Hospital, Dr. Dr. Muhammed Shaliu Shenni, Professor Abdulwasiu Oladele Hassan of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Osun State, commended Abdulbasit’s initiative, describing it as a significant contribution to public health research.
