The Plateau health commissioner, Dr Nimkong Ndam, on Friday expressed concern over the increase in cases of Tuberculosis (TB) in the state.
Ndam spoke at the sensitization and screening to mark World Tuberculosis Day 2023, in Gyel, Jos South Local Government Area.
Represented by the Director of Public Health, Dr Mafwalal Masok, Ndam said that 219 out of 100,000 people in the country are suffering from TB.
He said that by 2022, the country will record 10,000 TB cases.
“So, the objective of this exercise is to create awareness and expand TB case finding in the country.
“We put people who are susceptible to developing active TB in preventive treatment.
“This will prevent community spread. Each undiagnosed and untreated case can infect 15 people in a year.
“During the exercise, the detected cases will be treated quickly, this will solve the problem of low detection of TB cases,” he said.
Earlier, Dr Catherine Igoh, Country Coordinator, Nigeria Breakthrough Action, an NGO, said the exercise was to promote TB awareness through community outreach.
Igoh also expressed concern that TB, a preventable and curable disease, could cause several deaths and disabilities.
He urges those who experience weight loss and prolonged cough to try it immediately.
“TB treatment is absolutely free. We urge the public to make use of the available opportunities,” he said.
He also said, Prof. Chudung Miner, Chairman, Association of Public Health Doctors, Plateau chapter, identified poor waste management as the main cause of disease.
He said overpopulation and low immunity are other factors contributing to the rise in TB cases in Plateau.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Tuberculosis Day is commemorated every year on March 24.
The theme for the 2023 edition of the Day is: “Yes, We Can End TB!”!