In 2023, Kaduna documented 32,297 cases of tuberculosis
The Kaduna State Government reported that 32,297 cases of the disease were detected in the state in 2023. However, it has improved tuberculosis case detection and reduced the risk of spreading the disease.
Umma Kaltume-Ahmed, the State Commissioner for Health, addressed a press conference in Kaduna on Thursday to mark the World Tuberculosis Day celebration.
She noted that tuberculosis case detection in the state has surged from 21,557 cases in 2022 to 32,297 in 2023, marking a significant 49.8% increase. This detection rate surpasses the state's TB case detection target by 159%. The Commissioner attributed this improvement to enhanced support from the State Government and development partners.
Furthermore, she highlighted the theme for the 2024 World TB Day, "Yes, We Can End TB," with the slogan "No Gree For TB, Check Am O." This theme underscores the commitment of global leaders to end the TB epidemic by 2030. It emphasizes the importance of scaling up access to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, ensuring sustainable financing, and combating stigma and discrimination against TB-affected individuals, as agreed upon at the UN high-level meeting on TB in New York four years ago.
This underscores the pressing requirement to allocate resources to bolster the campaign against TB and fulfill the pledges of global leaders to eradicate the disease.
"This is particularly crucial amidst the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has jeopardized progress in ending TB, and to guarantee fair access to prevention and healthcare in alignment with WHO's pursuit of Universal Health Coverage," she emphasized. She further stated that increased investment will preserve countless lives, hastening the culmination of the Tuberculosis epidemic.
We must remain vigilant about the devastating impact of Tuberculosis, which still inflicts considerable sickness and death in our community. World TB Day offers a distinct chance for ongoing awareness about Tuberculosis. She mentioned that the state has expanded the number of facilities offering TB services to cover 78 percent of the population.
We are committed to this endeavor until every healthcare facility in the State offers TB services. Additionally, the State's treatment success rate stands at about 98.4 percent, indicating effective management of diagnosed TB cases,” she affirmed.
“The battle against TB requires collective effort. I urge all residents of Kaduna State, as well as public and private organizations, to join hands with the Kaduna State Government in the fight to eradicate TB and save lives. I also encourage everyone to take advantage of the opportunity to get tested if experiencing a persistent cough for two weeks or more. Rest assured, TB is treatable, and diagnosis and treatment are both free and readily accessible in the state,” she emphasized.
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