96% of TB patients on treatment, highest in Nigeria -Kano govt

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

Kano State Ministry of Health has revealed that 96 percent of tuberculosis patients are on treatment, which according to it, it is the highest in the whole country.
The state’s Commissioner of Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf stated this at a press conference on commemoration of 2023 National TB Testing Week, held at his office in Kano on Monday.
According to him, the TB burden in Kano, being the one of the five high burden states, stood at 34,547, representing expected notification of 8,637 TB patients per quarter.
He disclosed that just last week the ministry placed a total of 8,277 TB patients, representing 96% of the total burden, adding that the patients had been placed on TB treatment which is the highest quarterly notification ever in Nigeria.
“The TB burden stood at 34,547 which represents expected notification of 8,637 TB patients per quarter and I am happy to inform you that just last week we placed a total of 8,277 TB patients (i.e 96% of the total burden) have been placed on TB treatment which is the highest quarterly TB notification ever in Nigeria!
“This is not unconnected with the leadership and commitment by His Excellency The Executive Governor of Kano State Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf who has prioritized health and well-being of the people of Kano State in collaboration with our stakeholders and partners to make Kano TB-Free. You may wish to note that any untreated TB patient can transmit the disease to about 10-15 people within one year,” he said.
Dr Yusuf stated that within the few months since the coming of this administration, the state, in collaboration with its partners had been doing a lot towards ending TB burden and transmission including expansion of the TB diagnostic equipment to cover distant communities in Kano State, deployment of mobile TB screening tools and machines for TB screening and diagnosis.
“Training of healthcare workers on TB diagnosis, treatment and reporting. Continuous awareness creation, demand generation and community sensitizations across the state in collaboration with numerous media outlets such as you all here!
“Sustenance of TB services in correctional facilities, military barracks, police academy,
immigration, custom and tertiary institutions, among others. Expansion of TB diagnosis and treatment services to more private health facilities.
“Enhanced collaboration with all our partners, community-based organisations (CBOs), civil society organisations (CSOs), professional associations as well as traditional and religious leaders,” he said.
The Commissioner therefore called on the citizens, males and females, young and old across the state to go to the nearest health facility for TB screening, early diagnosis and prompt treatment free of charge.