The Bauchi state government has treated a total of 7,435 individuals afflicted with Tuberculosis (TB) across the 20 local government areas in the state in 2023.
Dr Adamu Sambo, Bauchi State Commissioner for Health who stated this at a news conference to commemorate the 2024 World Tuberculosis Day in Bauchi, said the treatment had allowed the government to assess the progress made toward achieving the End TB Strategy and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Dr Sambo who spoke on the theme for this year’s Day is: “Yes!”, with the slogan: “We Can End TB”, said Tuberculosis is an infectious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and which usually affects the lungs.
Represented by the Director of Medical Services in the ministry, said that the state government successfully treated a total of 7,435 cases, thereby achieving a 96 percent treatment success rate (TSR) at the end of 2023.
He called on all stakeholders, international organizations, civil society organizations, religious, traditional/community leaders, and the private sector to join the drive to roll out the strategy to treat and cure those suffering from the disease.
“It is gratifying to inform you that in 2023, Bauchi State detected and notified 9,332 drug-susceptible TB cases in 2023, as against 7,806 in 2022.
“With an estimated TB target of 16,092 in 2023, the state had achieved a 57.9 percent performance in TB case notification and out of the 7,730 new TB cases detected and registered for treatment in 2022.
“Significant progress had been made in terms of TB control, both at the state and local government levels, due to the Gov. Bala Mohammed-led administration’s commitment to the health care delivery.
“There are currently 794 free TB treatment centers, 127 diagnostic centers, 16 Genexpert, three truant, and eight TB lamp machines.
“These are the latest machines that diagnose both the drug-sensitive TB bacteria and the drug-resistant strain of the bacteria that cause multi-drug resistant (MDR-TB) form of TB.
“It is interesting to note that all the 20 LGAs in Bauchi state have, at least, one of the latest machines for molecular diagnosis of TB.
“Our united effort is needed to reach those at highest risk for TB and to identify and implement innovative strategies to improve testing and treatment among high-risk populations,” he said.
The Commissioner said that this year’s commemoration would come with a series of activities aimed at increasing awareness in the state.
On his part, the Director of Tuberculosis and Leprosy in the State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis/Leprosy and Malaria (BACATMA), Dr Yakubu Gide, said that the government was looking forward to a sustained and better partnership with numerous donor-partners.
- Netherlands To Activate $250 Million New Investments In Nigeria - April 26, 2024
- ICPC To Arrest Former Director General NILDS - April 26, 2024
- Emir Of Minna Set Up Committee To Curb Vices - April 26, 2024
