Parents Voice Fears Over Possible Diphtheria Outbreak at King’s College, Lagos
Parents of students at King’s College, Lagos (KCL), have expressed deep concerns about a possible diphtheria outbreak at the school, following reports that some students have been hospitalised.
Investigations showed that officials from the World Health Organization (WHO) have visited the school to conduct an assessment and have provided safety guidelines.
Some parents and guardians worry that the situation may be more serious than what has been disclosed and are urging the school management to issue a clear statement. They have also been given mandatory immunisation forms to complete and return by Wednesday. A consent form reviewed by the media confirmed that the school, in partnership with the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, is preparing to conduct a diphtheria vaccination exercise.
Concerned individuals and parents have attributed the suspected outbreak to poor hygiene conditions and an apparent lack of openness from the school’s administration. Reports suggest that students have been required to wear face masks, and several have been treated at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for symptoms resembling diphtheria.
“Why the secrecy?” asked one parent. “We’ve repeatedly raised concerns about poor sanitation, inadequate food, and the state of the school clinic. WHO officials were on campus yesterday to educate students about diphtheria prevention, which suggests the situation is serious.”
Adding to the concern, reports indicate that some students were hospitalised in December, and tragically, one student lost their life.
Parents are now calling for a full-time medical doctor to be assigned to the school’s clinic.
“My son was hospitalised for over a week—it was a terrifying experience. We need intensified preventive measures and constant supervision of students’ hygiene,” one parent remarked.
Additionally, they are urging the Federal Government to enhance water and sanitation (WASH) facilities at the school and to improve the overall quality of education at KCL and other unity schools. They have also called on the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) to focus on student welfare rather than concealing problems.
A family member of a student who received treatment at LUTH expressed deep concern, stressing the importance of prayers and immediate interventions to improve conditions at the school.
However, the spokesperson for the King’s College PTA, Mrs. Ngozi Ogbonna, has urged parents to remain calm, assuring them that the school and PTA are collaborating with government health agencies to address the situation.
She confirmed that booster vaccine doses are being administered and that students displaying symptoms are being isolated and taken to LUTH for further medical evaluation.
In a message to parents titled “Issue of Diphtheria Disease in Annex Campus, King’s College,” Ogbonna stated:
“As part of their efforts, the management and PTA EXCO met and contacted the relevant government health agencies, who advised that booster doses of vaccines should be administered to students.
However, some students who manifested symptoms have been isolated and taken to LUTH for diagnosis, with results awaited. Any other students who show symptoms will also be taken to LUTH accordingly, and their parents contacted for follow-up.
Delegates from the World Health Organization visited the Annex Campus yesterday evening to assist in controlling the situation.
On this note, we urge parents to remain calm and prayerful as everything is under control. We shall overcome.”
Diphtheria, according to WHO, is a highly infectious bacterial disease that spreads through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, and swollen neck glands, with unvaccinated children being the most at risk.
When Folasade Boriowo, the spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education, was reached for comment, she stated that she was unaware of the situation but pledged to investigate and provide further information.
