Fausat Bello
The Bauchi State Government said it recorded 5,652 Drug Susceptible Tuberculosis cases in 2021.
This was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Health,Dr Sama’ila Kaila while briefing reporters to mark the 2022 World Tuberculosis Day, on Thursday in Bauchi. This is just as World Health Organisation’s Regional Director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, in a message to commemorate the World TB Day expressed worries over rising TB deaths, saying that about 36 per cent of all tuberculosis (TB) deaths happen in Africa as a result of failure to invest in its response by key stakeholders.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Hospital Board, Dr Alkali Sambo said, “That 94 per cent of the 4,430 cases detected in 2020 had been treated successfully.
“The state had established 719 free TB treatment centres, 127 diagnostic centres and 15 GeneXpert machines, among other facilities.”
Kaila said, “The state adopted proactive measures to encourage a collective approach towards improving its active case search strategies, testing and treatment among the high-risk population.
“This year’s celebration will be a series of activities, aimed at creating awareness through radio programmes.
“Free testing and treatment for TB, COVID19, HIV/AIDS and malaria, will also be conducted.
“Other programmes include community outreach and active case search across the 20 local government areas of the state.”
He added that food items will be distributed to leprosy and tuberculosis patients across the state.
The Chairman, Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Malaria, (BACATMA), Sani Dambam who acknowledged the support of development partners in the fight against the spread of the diseases reiterated the commitment of the agency “towards the provision of quality healthcare services to stem the spread of Malaria and infectious diseases in the state.”
World Tuberculosis Day, marked yearly on 24 March, is designed to build public awareness about the global epidemic of tuberculosis and efforts to eliminate the disease.
