“You don’t expect to hit the jackpot if you don’t put a few nickels in the machine” ~ Flip Wilson.
Courage is the strongest virtue, second only to honor. I don’t come across as the sort who enjoys being a spectator, and as such, caution is of little use to me.
Following my previous articles on Kano’s diphtheria crisis a couple of weeks ago, it’s essential to applaud the Hospitals Management Board. However, diphtheria remains an ongoing deadly threat that has stretched to near a status quo—extending beyond its epidemic proportions.
Nonetheless, the State’s Ministry of Health, through the Hospitals Management Board, has partially met the needs of the diphtheria treatment center—provision of free drugs, alone. Yet to be addressed, among other issues, are the declined manpower and the payment of incentives.
In response to my previous article, the authorities endeavored, in the twilight of August 2024, to host a meeting of all the stakeholders involved in the management of diphtheria in Kano. The meeting concluded with the panel gathering on, among other things: the immediate release of drugs to the center, an expansive discourse on payment of allowances, feeding of patients, decentralization of the treatment center, and the immediate re-engagement and deployment of all staff with experience in diphtheria management—those who worked at the center when NGOs were at the helm.
Only the provision of drugs and partial decentralization were successfully implemented. However, the staff to administer the drugs are becoming more depleted with each passing day.
You may recall that, in my previous article, I mentioned how the mortality rate increased in just one month—more than 50 people died in August alone. Some argued that over 100 patients were confirmed dead. September has followed in the footsteps of August. Certainly, the diphtheria treatment center is in a state of confusion, almost at a tipping point. Without proper intervention, diphtheria will not be eradicated.
The rate of the disease’s spread is becoming far-reaching. The number of patients is increasing daily, and it has spread to neighboring states. Kano houses the highest number of confirmed cases.
Notwithstanding, the staff working in the center, who primarily work with the HMB in other facilities, have given an ultimatum: the promised staff should be re-engaged and deployed from 1st September 2024, and August incentives must be paid. Failing this, they pledged to withdraw their services on 4th September. This was communicated through the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH). Perhaps the CMD has given his best effort, or rather, less patriotically!
The staff have since withdrawn their services. As of 4th September, the center has been devoid of experienced professionals—those trained to manage diphtheria. Barely three experienced medical officers and one experienced nurse stayed on, primarily because they work at IDH and the isolation center.
The HMB is yet to engage in discussions with the withdrawn staff or meet their demands. Perhaps the CMD has yet to do what is necessary.
Let me state upfront that we feel betrayed by the actions of the hospital head—the CMD—and the Hospitals Management Board. We’ve given all our mortal virtues to the management of diphtheria, demonstrating an extreme degree of tolerance, patience, hard work, and dedication without expecting a reward. Yet, our efforts are at the brink of disappearing into the unknown. We are not accorded the appreciation we deserve, hence being labeled ‘unsung heroes.’ Alas!
It’s my ultimate prayer, now and always, that through my writings, diphtheria will be eradicated.
Ahmad Deedat is a Registered Nurse, writing from Kano, Nigeria.
