The Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina has been overwhelmed by the rising number of suspected and confirmed diphtheria cases in the state, leaving its Children’s Ward without enough bed space.
The hospital management, in a statement on Saturday, said it had been receiving large numbers of patients referred from other health facilities as the outbreak continues.
It said the influx had resulted in severe overcrowding, with available beds stretched beyond capacity.
Despite the pressure, the hospital said its healthcare workers were continuing to provide care for critically ill children while efforts were being made to accommodate the growing number of patients.
The management said arrangements were underway to manage the situation, but called for stronger coordination among health facilities and other stakeholders involved in the outbreak response.
It stressed that a coordinated response was necessary to manage the increasing patient load and protect the lives of affected children.
The hospital did not disclose the number of diphtheria patients currently receiving treatment or the total number of cases recorded in Katsina State.
