OYO State Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, has disclosed that the state recorded a total of 13,000 cases of tuberculosis (TB) in 2023.
This is as the government appealed to residents with persistent coughs to seek free TB testing and treatment across the state.
Dr Ajetunmobi, speaking at the flag-off of community outreach and awareness creation on TB for the 2024 World TB Day commemoration, stated that the 13,000 people found to have TB among the 170,000 tested in Oyo State within the period were placed on free treatment in its health facilities across the state.
The commissioner, who was represented by the Director of Public Health of the ministry, Dr Akintunde Babatunde, reiterated that TB remains a significant global health threat, claiming millions of lives each year and hinted that some of the persons found to have TB in the state were children.
“TB knows no boundaries. It affects individuals regardless of their race, gender, socioeconomic status, or geographical location. It thrives in conditions of poverty, overcrowding and inadequate healthcare, making it not only an issue but also a socioeconomic one.
“To achieve a TB-free world, the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde, in collaboration with different partners, has provided free TB services across 684 health facilities in the 33 LGAs and will also commence community-free TB testing across the state with the celebration.
“Furthermore, there is an ongoing expansion of TB services in all nooks and crannies of the state. To this end, those present with cough should avail themselves of this free opportunity to screen and receive treatment if positive.”
Earlier in his address, chairman of Ibadan North-East Local Government, Mr Ibrahim Akintayo, had announced his approval for the release of funds to support individuals with multidrug-resistant TB (MD-R TB), including support for other TB/HIV control activities in council.
According to him, “In Oyo State, Ibadan North East is one of the LGAs with the highest number of new TB cases and the highest number of MD-R TB cases lost to follow-up. On a brighter note, IBNE is the overall third best in case-finding activities in Oyo State, with room for more improvement (2023 DHIS2 Data).
“For these reasons, I have approved the release of funds to support multidrug-resistant TB patients in Ibadan North East, in order to minimise the proportion of cases lost to follow-up and dangerous treatment interruptions.”
Oyo State Coordinator, USAID Breakthrough Action Nigeria, Mrs Oluwatoyin Afachung, urged Nigerians to stop self-stigmatisation, while asking everyone coughing for over two weeks to test for TB, to be able to avail themselves of free treatment, if need be.
In a remark, Damien Foundation representative, Dr Bolaji Ahmed, said TB can only be cured if appropriate medicines are taken over the expected period of time, warning that self-medication with antibiotics and ‘akapo’ is not only wrong but detrimental to health.
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