March 28, 2025
No fewer than 35 persons, died of tuberculosis, TB related complications across Nasarawa State in 2024.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Gaza Gwamna, disclosed this at a press conference in Lafia on Friday to mark the 2025 World Tuberculosis Day.
Gwamna, noted that the state recorded 8,190 cases of tuberculosis in 2024, with 21 per cent of the patients were co-infected with HIV.
“Unfortunately, 35 of these individuals gave in to the disease.
“The TB prevalence rate in 2024 was higher than ithat of 2023, when we recorded 7,275 cases, with 18 per cent of them co-infected with HIV,” he said.
He stated that TB remained a significant health challenge in the state and called for collaboration and intensified efforts to combat its spread.
To commissioner said to combat the challenge, the state government and its partners had ramped up awareness campaigns and increased the number of treatment centers to ensure easier access for persons with TB symptoms.
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“As of December 2024, Nasarawa State had 386 directly observed therapy, short course (DOTS) treatment centers across all 13 local government areas (LGAs) for easy access,” he said.
The commissioner, explained that the state had a drug-resistant TB (DRTB) Treatment Center at ERCC Hospital, Alushi a 10-bed facility built, equipped, and donated by Agbami Partners in 2017 as a Chest Clinic.
“This center caters to DRTB patients experiencing complications, particularly those suffering from adverse drug reactions.”
Giving a breakdown of TB cases recorded in 2024, Gwamna highlighted the following statistics in some LGAs: Awe, 179 cases; Obi, 350; Wamba, 178, Nassarawa-Eggon, 682, Nasarawa; 1,846, and Toto: 143 cases respectively.
He said the state government introduced its first GeneXpert machine in 2014 to enhance diagnosis, which provides TB test results within two hours.
Adding that “As of now, Nasarawa state has 15 GeneXpert sites with 20 machines operating in 10 out of the 13 LGAs.”
“We also have molecular diagnostic platforms at General Hospitals in Toto and Keffi, with installations pending at Ummaisha and Assakio.
“Additionally, TB-LAMP machines are available at Federal University Teaching Hospital Lafia, Mararaba Gurku Medical Centre, and General Hospitals in Keana, Odege, and Toto,” he said.
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Gwamna reiterated the commitment of Gov. Abdullahi Sule’s administration to improving healthcare in the state, including continued budgetary support for the TB program.
He assured that the health ministry, in collaboration with its partners, remained focused on reducing TB cases to the barest minimum and ultimately eradicating the disease from the state.
Meanwhile, the commissioner has urged residents experiencing symptoms such as a persistent cough lasting two weeks or more (with or without sputum), low-grade fever, unexplained weight loss, chest pain, or night sweats to immediately visit the nearest health facility for attention.
