The Nasarawa State Government has said that about 1,524 out of 7,345 Tuberculosis (TB) patients in the State, were co-infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
It stated that the figure represented 21 pre cent of patients who were co-infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the State in 2023.
The Government also pointed that virus resulted to the deaths of 117 patients. Which represented 1.6% death recorded in the year under review.
This was revealed by the Commissioner for Health, Gaza Gomma during a Press Briefing in Lafia, Nasarawa State Capital. The vent was to commemorate the 2024 World Tuberculosis Day recently marked with the theme “Yes, We Can End TB”.
The Commissioner attributed the increase in number of infected persons to lack of awareness. He, however, noted that the Sate Ministry was going to scale up testing and screening in order to strengthen its referral system. Stating that it will encourage more persons availing themselves with the facilities.
Gomna, who was represented by Ali John Damina, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry stated Government readiness to curb HIV spread. He said the State Government had created 382 TB/DOTS Treatment Centers across the State. That was in addition to the faith-based medical centres such as ERCC Medical Center, Alushi, Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia. Others, he mentioned was the Federal Medical Centre Keffi. He said these were created to to increase the level of testing and screen of TB in the State.
The Perm Sec lamented the burden of rising TB status in the State. He, however, expressed the opinion that with the measures taken to tackle the spread of the disease, the risk posed to residents would be minimal.
According to him, “Nasarawa State detected 7,345 TB cases in the year 2023; 21 per cent of whom are co-infected with HIV. This number is quite higher than that of the previous year, 2022. Which was 5,445 with 18% co-infection with HIV. This shows that TB is still prevalent in the State. There is the need therefore to intensify our efforts in the fight against this menace.”
Gwamma acknowledged the contributions of Local Governments that made up the total number recorded for 2023. These include, Awe LGA – 179; Obi LGA – 350; Wamba LGA – 178 and Nassarawa Eggon LGA – 682. Others are Nassarawa LGA – 1,846; Toto LGA – 143.
The Commissioner further explained that the success rate of TB treatment in the State is currently at 89%. He added that the State is yet to meet the target of 95% stipulated by the National TB Control Programme. Hence much work needed to be done.
Gwamma also reiterated the State Government’s commitment to ensuring good healthcare delivery for populace. He said the Ministry would continue to work in collaboration with partners to reduce to the barest minimum, cases of TB and subsequent eradication of the disease.
“Currently, the State has 382 TB/DOTS treatment centres. Efforts are on to expand TB services to more remote areas for easy accessibility.
“TB is a disease of public health interest as it is highly infectious and airborne. TB is commonly associated with the following signs and symptoms: cough for two weeks or more. That is productive of sputum or not. low-grade fever, persistent weight loss, chest pain, night sweats, among others
“The Nasarawa State Government will not relent on its efforts to provide good, quality and affordable healthcare services to its citizens. If we must end TB in Nasarawa State and beyond, workable strategies must be put in place to eliminate the disease”, he concluded.
