2 days Ago By Our Reporters
Collins Agwam The Nasarawa State Government has said 21 per cent of 8,190 people diagnosed with tuberculosis in the state in 2024 were also living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus. According to the government, 35 of the TB-infected people lost their lives due to the severity of their cases last year. The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Gaza Gwamna, stated this in Lafia, the state capital, on Friday during the close of activities to mark the World Tuberculosis Day.
He noted that the detected 8,190 TB cases in 2024 were higher than that of the previous year 2023, which was 7,275 with 18 per cent co-infection with HIV. The commissioner said, “Out of the 8,190 persons infected in 2024, 35 of them died. 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. “The treatment success rate for TB in the state for the 4th quarter of 2024 was 89 per cent, yet to meet the target of 95 per cent set by the National TB Control Programme, hence much still needs to be done.” Breaking down the figure, Gwamna said, “A total of 627 children of age group 0 –14 years were diagnosed with TB last year and this constitutes 8.
5 per cent of total TB cases detected in the state. This is still below the national target of 12 per cent contribution of TB case from this age group. TB disease has serious negative impact on the economy generally.
“From the state and national statistics, the age group that is most infected with TB is 15 – 55 years, which is the economically productive group in any society. For Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis, it has been shown that cases are on the increase nationwide.” Gwamna mentioned some of the local government areas which contributed to the 8,190 TB cases recorded last year to include, Awe (179) Obi (350) Wamba (178) Nasarawa Eggon (682); Nasarawa (1,846) and Toto (143).
He explained that “TB is commonly associated with symptoms like cough for two weeks or more that is productive of sputum or not; low grade fever; persistent weight loss; chest pain; night sweats and more.” Copyright PUNCH All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected] Tags #HIV and AIDS 21% of tuberculosis patients in Nasarawa have HI Eradicating TB by 2030 Nasarawa State government TB patients tuberculosis World Tuberculosis Day.
