Kaduna records 4,474 tuberculosis new cases
By: Femi Mustapha
The Kaduna State Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Programme on Friday said it has recorded 4,474 TB new cases in the state.
The State Deputy Programme Manager, Dr. Sani Aminu said during a presentation at a one-day engagement meeting with civil society organizations (CSOs) and private sector organizations for Tuberculosis Domestic Resource Mobilisation in Kaduna.
The meeting was organized by the State Ministry of Health in collaboration with Development Governance International Consult. (DGI)
Aminu said the figure represents an 80 percent increase when compared to a 114 percent increase in Q1 of 2021 TB case findings,”
“In 2022 from January to date we have recorded confirmed cases of 8,980 and we are still working hard to identify missing cases.
He said tuberculosis cases are on the increase and as such the target of zero death by 2030 cannot be achieved but should be extended.
According to him, the Tuberculosis Programme is faced with challenges of finding the gap, dwindling support from international donor agencies, the gap between case finding, pediatric case finding, and sub-optimal health facility coverage with tuberculosis services.
He urged the government to take greater responsibility in the implementation of tuberculosis control activities.
He said that the program has expanded its services in the state to 976 treatment centers and all patients have been placed on free treatment.
“These centers cover all the 31 general hospitals, 672 primary health centers, 222 private health facilities, 48 faith-based facilities, and three tertiary centers (68 percent facility coverage) in the state.
“The state government has also procured five mobile diagnostic trucks equipped with digital X-ray machines and 10 color gene expert machines for the integrated diagnosis of tuberculosis, COVID-19, and various other diseases in remote communities across the state.
”This will no doubt increase tuberculosis case findings in the state,”
He added that the program planned to intensify its tuberculosis case-finding activities through community active search, increased access to services through dots expansion, intensified out-patient door screening, and tuberculosis patient contact investigation.
He said that it would also intensify its private sector engagement and increase pediatric diagnosis through the engagement of nutrition clinics, chest X-rays, and stool testing for tuberculosis.
Also speaking, Dr. Kenneth Adaba of the Development Governance International Consult said the meeting was to present the overview of the state Tuberculosis and Leprosy program highlighting achievements, successes, and gaps.
Adaba said the meeting is also to secure the commitment of private sector organizations toward supporting the state Tuberculosis program.
“We are here to also sensitize the civil societies on their advocacy roles and responsibilities in the DRM for the state tuberculosis Programme.
“We also want to chart a course of action towards putting health, particularly tuberculosis in the political agenda of the 2023 election in the state.
He added that the meeting is also to secure the commitment of civil society organizations toward supporting the state Tuberculosis program.
Earlier in his speech, the Deputy Director of Public Health, State Ministry of Health, Dr. Salisu Shaiubu, said tuberculosis is an infectious disease that is subconscious to old age.
He said the state is ready to welcome every organization that is ready to collaborate in the fight against the disease.
