The Bauchi State Government said it treated about 7,435 tuberculosis cases in the 20 local government areas of the state in 2023.

Commissioner for Health, Dr Adamu Sambo, stated this at a news conference to commemorate the 2024 World Tuberculosis Day on Sunday in Bauchi.

Tuberculosis is an infectious bacterial disease caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis and which usually affects the lungs.

This year’s celebration is with the theme, “We can end TB.’’

The commissioner said that the treatment had afforded the government the opportunity to assess the progress made toward achieving the End TB Strategy and the sustainable development goals.

Mr Sambo, 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 per cent treatment success rate at the end of 2023.

He stated, “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 achieved a 57.9 per cent performance in TB case notification and out of the 7,730 new TB cases detected and registered for treatment in 2022.’’

The commissioner said due to the Governor Bala Mohammed-led administration’s commitment, significant progress had been made in terms of TB control, both at the state and local government levels.

“There are currently 794 free TB treatment centres, 127 diagnostic centres and 16 genexpert, three truenat 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 forms 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.

Mr Sambo called on stakeholders, international organisations, civil society organisations, 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.
He said that this year’s commemoration came with a series of activities aimed at increasing awareness in the state.

On his part, Director, Tuberculosis and Leprosy at the state’s Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis/Leprosy and Malaria, Dr Yakubu Gide, appreciated the donors, saying that the government was looking forward to sustained and better partnership.

(NAN)