Nigeria: Diphtheria - Mothers Count Cost As Katsina Isolation Centre Struggles With Rising Patients
[Leadership] For Yusra Lawal, the ordeal began with what appeared to be an ordinary fever.
For a six-year-old girl, Yusra Lawal's journey to recover from diphtheria began with what seemed to be an ordinary fever. Her condition worsened, leading to severe leg pain and she ultimately received a diagnosis of diphtheria. The family sought treatment at the Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina, before being referred to the GASH Isolation Centre.
Lawal shared that her daughter's recovery has been gradual, improving from her inability to eat except for water to her current state. Despite the relief, Lawal is concerned about the cost of daily transportation to the treatment centre, which she estimates at N1,000 to N1,500 per day. The mother of two from Dan Nakola in Daura Local Government Area, Nana Suwaiba, recounted the struggle of caring for her two sick daughters for 10 days, mentioning the lack of food, money, and transportation.
Suwaiba also appealed for assistance to support families dealing with basic needs while caring for patients. Hajiya Halima Ali from Katsina town shared a similar experience, recounting unsuccessful attempts to get treatment for her son before being referred to the GASH Isolation Centre. Ali expressed gratitude for the free treatment and requested improved water supply and more isolation centres to manage the increasing number of patients.
These families' daily challenges highlight the broader issue of diphtheria, not just as a medical diagnosis, but as a struggle involving long travel, financial burdens, and the fear of the disease spreading to other children.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
