Tuberculosis: Over 6,000 Cases Went Undiagnosed In 2023
According to Cletus Shurkuk, the Plateau State Commissioner For Health, out of the 1,470 health facilities in the state, only 510 offer integrated tuberculosis (TB) control services.
Mr Shurkuk said this on Monday in Jos during a press briefing to commemorate the 2024 World Tuberculosis Day, with the theme “Yes! We can end TB”.
According to him, 156 facilities offering TB-integrated services are private, and 354 are public health facilities.
The commissioner lamented that in 2023, out of the estimated 11,004 TB cases in the state, only 4,697 were diagnosed, while 6,307 cases were missing (undiagnosed).
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He said that a TB patient who is not diagnosed and placed on treatment was capable of infecting 10 to 15 persons annually.
Mr Shurkuk said the diagnosis and treatment of TB were free, and persons who experience persistent cough for over two weeks, night sweats and weight loss should avail themselves for testing.
He further called on members of the public to desist from the act of stigmatising persons with TB, as such fostered the spread of the disease as people with it may refuse to seek medical remedy due to the fear of being stigmatised.
The commissioner thanked Governor Caleb Mutfwang for prioritising the release of funds to make the state TB-free and he also thanked the various health implementing partners in the state for their contributions in making the state TB-free.
