The ongoing diphtheria outbreak in Katsina State has placed the Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina under severe pressure, with a surge in suspected and confirmed cases overwhelming its Children’s Ward.

The hospital management, in a statement issued on Saturday, said the facility was receiving a large number of patients referred from other health facilities, stretching its available bed capacity beyond its limits.

According to the statement, “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.

“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.

“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 management added that necessary arrangements were being made to accommodate and manage the increasing number of patients despite the shortage of available bed spaces.

It also commended the resilience and dedication of healthcare workers, who, it said, had continued to provide care to critically ill children amid 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 said.

The hospital called for stronger coordination among health facilities and other stakeholders involved in the outbreak response, stressing that a concerted effort was needed to effectively manage the increasing 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 did not disclose the number of diphtheria patients currently admitted or the total number of cases recorded in Katsina State.