By correspondent in Lafia.
The Nasarawa State Government has raised concerns over the increasing burden of tuberculosis (TB) in the state, with 35 TB-related deaths recorded in 2024.
Dr. Gaza Gwamna, the Commissioner for Health, disclosed this at a press briefing in Lafia to mark the 2025 World Tuberculosis Day. He revealed that the state detected 8,190 TB cases in 2024, a rise from 7,275 cases in 2023, indicating a growing health challenge.
Alarmingly, 21% of the TB cases in 2024 were co-infected with HIV, up from 18% in 2023.
He added that to combat the disease, the state government and health partners have intensified awareness campaigns and expanded treatment facilities for easier access to care.
“As of December 2024, we had 386 Directly Observed Therapy, Short Course (DOTS) treatment centers across the 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs),” Gwamna stated.
According to the commissioner,, the state runs a Drug-Resistant TB (DRTB) Treatment Centre at ERCC Hospital, Alushi.
The 10-bed facility, established by Agbami Partners in 2017, provides specialized care for TB patients with complications, including adverse drug reactions, he revealed.
He also disclosed that for faster and more effective TB diagnosis, Nasarawa State has strengthened its diagnostic infrastructure: with
15 GeneXpert sites with 20 GeneXpert machines across 10 LGAs, to provide TB test results within two hours.
The state government,he further disclosed established Molecular diagnostic platforms in General Hospitals inToto and Keffi, with new installations underway in Ummaisha and Assakio in addition toTB-LAMP machines at various hospitals, including the Federal University Teaching Hospital Lafia and Mararaba Gurku Medical Centre.
Dr. Gwamna emphasized the importance of early detection and treatment adherence, urging residents with symptoms such as persistent cough (lasting two weeks or more), unexplained weight loss, night sweats, fever, and chest pain to seek medical attention immediately.
He assured that Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration remains committed to strengthening TB control programs and ensuring adequate budgetary support for healthcare delivery in the state.
The state government aims to drastically reduce TB cases and, ultimately, eradicate the disease through sustained efforts and community participation,the commissioner assured.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
