By Our Correspondent
The Director, Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control at the Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV Aids, Tuberculosis,Leprosy and Malaria BACATMA, Dr Yakubu Gida has noted that Statistics available reveals that in 2023, there were estimated 486,000 cases of Tuberculosis Nigeria but only 320,283 were notified representing 66% while about 165,717 (34%) TB Cases were missing.
He disclosed this while giving an overview of the infection in Bauchi state during a technical dialogue meeting on TB financing by LANGA Women Development Initiative held at the NUJ Press Center, Bauchi on Wednesday.
He stated that Nigeria is the 1st in Africa in terms of victims of the infection pointing out that
TB incidence rate is 219 per every 100,000 of the population and ranks 6th globally among 30 high TB burden countries.
On the epidimeology of Tuberculosis, Yakubu Gida stressed that TB is an infectious killer after COVID-19 above HIV/AIDS.
Gida stated that in 2023, an estimated 10.6 million people fell ill with tuberculosis (TB) worldwide, including 5.8 million men, 3.5 million women and 1.3 million children.
The Director said routine immunization Vaccination (BCG) for children, early referral of all persons coughing for more than 2 weeks to DOTS centres and early diagnosis in the hospital and following treatment regiment is key to tuberculosis control.
He also emphasised practicing cough etiquette by all coughing individuals (covering the mouth while coughing and non spiting of sputum in open areas), ensure cross ventilation in our homes and offices, adherence and completion of treatment and HIV/AIDS prevention and care.
Speaking on TB Programme, TB burden / Situation in Bauchi state, the Director stated that with the National TB prevalence at 330/100,000 pop and Incidence rate of 219/100,000 population, with an estimated population of 7,500,896 in 2023, estimated TB cases for Bauchi stand at 16,427.
He said that the number of DOT centres in the state are 719 (Target 799 @ 10/100,000 Population), number of Microscopy centres -127 (Target 340 @1/50,000pop), number of geneXpert machines- 16 (Target One per LGA), Truenat-3 and 8 TB Lamps
The Challenges of TB management according to him include, Low financial backing from the allocated budgetary provision, Lack of state Counterpart Funding for TB, Low Community awareness on early signs and symptoms of TB, Low total TB case finding including, Childhood TB Case finding and notification, Low geographical coverage of TB diagnostic and treatment centers and Low private sector participation in TB Control Programme.
Dr Yakubu Gida said the State Government should increase budgetary allocation for TB and ensure Prompt release, BA-N: to continue demand creation to create Community awareness while BACATMA is to Support Active innovative ways of increasing total TB and childdhood TB cases particularly targeted at vulnerable
groups such as PLHIV, Migrant population, Slums, OVCS.
Executive Director of LANGA Women and Development Initiative, Maikudi Grace stressed the need for domestic sourcing of funding for tuberculosis rather than depending on foreign donors.
She added that Bauchi State Government must seek for other sources to fund TB management considering the fact that the state is one of the states that have high number of victims.
Maikudi Grace also emphasised the importance of advocacy for prompt releases of budgetary allocation for TB activities as well as proper monitoring of the expenditure of the released allocation.
She assured that her NGO will continue with the advocacy to relevant agencies and stakeholders to achieve the set objectives of the project in Bauchi state.