The ongoing diphtheria outbreak in Katsina State has put the Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina under intense pressure as a rising number of suspected and confirmed cases overwhelm the facility’s Children’s Ward.
The hospital management disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, noting that the increasing number of patients being referred from other health facilities had stretched its available bed capacity beyond its limit.
The development has placed additional pressure on the hospital, which serves as a major referral centre for Katsina State and neighbouring areas.
The management said the situation was linked to the growing number of diphtheria cases requiring specialised treatment and monitoring, particularly among children.
In response to the worsening situation, the Federal Government has activated an emergency multi-agency task force to contain the outbreak in Katsina and Kano states.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said the response would focus on strengthening disease surveillance, increasing immunisation coverage and improving access to treatment.
As part of the emergency measures, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency has deployed 500,000 doses of diphtheria vaccines to Katsina and Kano for intensified vaccination of unvaccinated children in affected and high-risk communities.
The government also plans to establish treatment annexes in hospitals across Katsina’s three senatorial districts — Katsina, Daura and Funtua — to bring treatment closer to affected communities and reduce pressure on the main referral centre.
Emergency support is also being mobilised for the Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina, including Diphtheria Antitoxin (DAT), intravenous antibiotics, additional medical personnel and personal protective equipment for healthcare workers.
The Federal Government said the emergency task force would provide weekly updates on the response and escalate any challenges requiring urgent intervention.
Diphtheria is a serious vaccine-preventable bacterial infection that can cause severe complications, particularly in children. Health authorities are therefore urging communities to ensure eligible children are fully immunised and to seek prompt medical attention when symptoms occur.
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