Benue govt treats 1,939 tuberculosis patients in 3 months

From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Over 1,939 patients have been treated for tuberculosis, TB, in three months in Benue State.
The State Program Manager, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Program, Dr. Kaior Akaangee, disclosed this in an interview with our correspondent in Makurdi.
Dr. Akaangee said the patients were treated and successfully discharged between April 1 to June 30, 2024.
He said the state government has done so much in TB case finding and treatment, pointing out that active TB case finding through the state TB and Leprosy control program and DOTs services commenced in 2001 in Local Government Areas, including Gwer East, Otukpo, Logo and Ohimini and 162 cases were diagnosed and placed on treatment.
“Currently, TB active case finding and treatment is obtainable in all the 23 LGAs. As at June 30th, they were 1,939 patients on treatment for all forms of TB.
“This number is the validated number of clients and active cases that were placed on treatment and not those diagnosed. Because of the robust strategies that has been in place, we always identify them early and as at June 30, no mortality was recorded in the state.”
Akaangee urged the Benue public to seek medical help when they have any suspected TB case, informing that there is a treatment centre for drug-resistant TB cases at St. Vincent Hospital Aliade adding that those with latent TB and close contacts are placed on Tuberculosis Preventive Treatment, (TPT).
He noted that the state government adopted several strategies in TB case finding by checking public and private places especially in communities and in key populations like IDPs, correction centres, HIV infected clients, nomads among others.