THE ongoing diphtheria outbreak in Katsina State has placed the Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina (FTH Katsina) under severe pressure, with a surge in suspected and confirmed cases overwhelming its Children’s Ward.
The hospital management disclosed this in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Saturday, saying the facilityKAtsina was receiving a large number of patients referred from other health facilities, stretching its available bed capacity beyond its limits.
According to the management, the growing influx of patients has resulted in severe overcrowding in the Children’s Ward as suspected and confirmed diphtheria cases continue to arrive at the facility.
“The ongoing diphtheria outbreak in Katsina State has placed enormous pressure on the Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina (FTH Katsina), particularly the Children’s Ward.
“The hospital is receiving an overwhelming number of suspected and confirmed cases, as patients are being referred to the facility in large numbers. The situation has resulted in severe overcrowding, stretching available beds beyond capacity,” the statement said.
Despite the pressure, the hospital said it was doing everything within its capacity to provide timely and quality care to affected children.
It said necessary arrangements were being made to accommodate and manage the increasing number of patients, even in the absence of sufficient available bed spaces.
“Despite these challenges, FTH Katsina is doing everything within its capacity to provide timely and quality care to affected children. The hospital is making necessary arrangements to accommodate and manage the increasing number of patients, even in the absence of sufficient available bed spaces,” it said.
The management also commended healthcare workers for their resilience and dedication, saying they had continued to care for critically ill children despite the growing pressure on the facility.
“Healthcare workers continue to demonstrate commitment and resilience in ensuring that critically ill children receive the care they need while efforts are being made to respond effectively to the increasing patient load,” the statement added.
The hospital’s response highlights the strain the outbreak is placing on healthcare facilities as referrals from other centres continue to increase.
FTH Katsina consequently called for stronger coordination among health facilities and other stakeholders involved in the outbreak response, stressing that a concerted effort was necessary to effectively manage the rising patient load and protect affected children.
“FTH Katsina remains committed to supporting the response to the outbreak,” the management said, adding that “a coordinated effort among all relevant health facilities and stakeholders is essential to effectively manage the situation and protect the lives of affected children.”
The hospital, however, did not disclose the number of diphtheria patients currently admitted or the total number of cases recorded in Katsina State.