The Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina has raised concerns over the growing pressure on its paediatric services following an influx of suspected and confirmed diphtheria cases from health facilities across Katsina State.
The hospital said the continuous referral of patients had resulted in severe overcrowding and overstretched available bed spaces in its children’s ward.
Despite the increasing number of patients, authorities have not yet released the current number of suspected cases, laboratory-confirmed infections or deaths recorded in the state.
The Federal Government has activated a multi-agency emergency response involving the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the Katsina and Kano state governments, as well as development partners.
As part of the intervention, 500,000 doses of diphtheria vaccines have been deployed to Katsina and Kano states for intensified immunisation in affected and high-risk communities.
The Federal Government has also directed the mobilisation of additional support to the Katsina teaching hospital, including diphtheria antitoxin, intravenous antibiotics, more clinical personnel and personal protective equipment.
Plans are also underway to establish treatment annexes in Katsina, Daura and Funtua to reduce pressure on the Federal Teaching Hospital and improve access to treatment.
The Katsina State Primary Healthcare Development Agency is expected to brief journalists on the outbreak and the government’s response.
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