Kwara Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina El-Imam, has revealed that the state recorded 1,869 cases of tuberculosis in 2023.
Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a serious bacterial infection of the lungs with symptoms such as persistent bad cough, chest pain and breathlessness.
El-Imam, who spoke yesterday in Ilorin at the commemoration of the 2024 World Tuberculosis Day, explained that the disease has continued to claim over 4,000 lives daily globally.
She stressed the importance of investigating all cases and ensuring that patients receive anti-TB drugs.
“It is only when all active cases are treated that we can break the chain of transmission of tuberculosis. The Kwara State Ministry of Health remains committed to finding cases of tuberculosis wherever they may be.
“We are intensifying community sensitisation, and active case search using our well-established structures of community informants, surveillance officers, and community TB/HIV workers,” she affirmed.
El-Imam highlighted the Kwara Government’s collaboration with partners to ensure zero costs for tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment for patients.
She acknowledged Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s commitment to strengthening the state’s capacity for tuberculosis diagnosis and services across all wards.
The governor’s wife, Prof. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, represented by the Director-General of Ajike People’s Support Centre, Alhaji Ganiyu Opeloyeru, reiterated the government’s commitment to eliminate tuberculosis and promote a healthy Kwara.
She urged all Kwara residents to report suspected tuberculosis cases in their communities to reduce the risk of infection.
The Director of Public Health, Dr. Oluwatosin Fakayode, emphasised the importance of citizens supporting the various healthcare efforts of the present administration to help reduce TB spread, echoing this year’s theme.