Nasarawa State Government said that 35 people died from tuberculosis (TB)-related complications across the state in 2024.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Gaza Gwamna, the Nasarawa State made this known at a press conference in Lafia on Friday to mark the 2025 World Tuberculosis Day.

He revealed that the state recorded 8,190 TB cases in 2024, with 21 per cent of the patients co-infected with HIV.

?Unfortunately, 35 of these individuals did not survive.

?The TB prevalence rate in 2024 was higher than in 2023, when we recorded 7,275 cases, with 18 per cent of them co-infected with HIV,? he said.

He noted that TB remained a significant health challenge in the state and called for intensified efforts to combat its spread.

To address the issue, the commissioner said the state government and its partners had ramped up awareness campaigns and increased the number of treatment centers to ensure easier access for those with TB symptoms.

?As of December 2024, Nasarawa State had 386 directly observed therapy, short course (DOTS) treatment centers across all 13 local government areas (LGAs) for easy access,? he said.

He further explained that the state had a drug-resistant TB (DRTB) Treatment Center at ERCC Hospital, Alushi?a 10-bed facility built, equipped, and donated by Agbami Partners in 2017 as a Chest Clinic.

?This center caters to DRTB patients experiencing complications, particularly those suffering from adverse drug reactions,? he added.

Providing a breakdown of TB cases in 2024, Gwamna listed the following statistics for some LGAs: Awe, 179 cases; Obi, 350; cases;Wamba, 178 cases; Nassarawa-Eggon, 682 cases; Nasarawa; 1,846 cases, and Toto: 143 cases.

To enhance diagnosis, he stated that the state introduced its first GeneXpert machine in 2014, ?which provides TB test results within two hours.

?As of now, Nasarawa state has 15 GeneXpert sites with 20 machines operating in 10 out of the 13 LGAs,? he noted.

?We also have molecular diagnostic platforms at General Hospitals in Toto and Keffi, with installations pending at Ummaisha and Assakio.

?Additionally, TB-LAMP machines are available at Federal University Teaching Hospital Lafia, Mararaba Gurku Medical Centre, and General Hospitals in Keana, Odege, and Toto,? he added.

Gwamna reaffirmed the commitment of Gov. Abdullahi Sule?s administration to improving healthcare in the state, including continued budgetary support for the TB program.

He assured that the health ministry, in collaboration with its partners, remained focused on reducing TB cases to the barest minimum and ultimately eradicating the disease.

He urged residents experiencing symptoms such as a persistent cough lasting two weeks or more (with or without sputum), low-grade fever, unexplained weight loss, chest pain, or night sweats to visit the nearest health facility for a check-up. (The Guardian)

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