HEALTH WORKERS RAISE ALARM OVER RISING TB CASES IN NASARAWA STATE 08-09-24
By Sadiq Aminu Escalating Tuberculosis Cases in Nasarawa State. we Growing concerns have emerged among residents of Nasarawa State over the escalating prevalence of Tuberculosis (TB) across the 13 Local Government Areas of the state. According to statistics from the State Ministry of Health, a staggering 7,345 TB cases were recorded in 2023, resulting in a significant number of deaths. This marks a worrying increase from the 5,445 cases reported in 2022.
Understanding Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, or TB, is a contagious bacterial disease that primarily affects the lungs, although it can impact other parts of the body. Over the years, TB cases have been recorded in communities across Nasarawa State. Treatment is available at designated centers in all 13 local government areas, including a faith-based facility, the ERCC Medical Services. These centers are largely supported by international partners and donor agencies due to the high cost of TB treatment.
Call for Increased Funding and Resources
In an interview, the Nasarawa State Programme Manager for Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Buruli Ulcer Control, Dr. Simon Ovye Dogara, called for stronger commitment to domestic funding for TB programs, citing the continuous rise of the disease due to inadequate manpower and healthcare infrastructure.
“As it stands, the prevalence rate of Tuberculosis in Nasarawa State is 219 cases per 100,000 population. That means that out of 100,000 people screened, 219 will test positive for TB. In the second quarter of 2024, between March and June, we diagnosed 1,854 people and placed them on treatment for TB. The number of cases is quite high,” he said.
Challenges Faced by TB Treatment Centers
When Africa 247 visited two major TB treatment centers—the Dalhatu Araf Specialists Hospital in Lafia and the faith-based ERCC Medical Services in Alushi, Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area—many patients, mostly males aged between 18 and 45, were seen in large numbers waiting to access care.
According to health worker Mr. Musa Wayah, many TB patients die due to ignorance and superstitious beliefs. “Some people attribute the disease to witchcraft and find it hard to believe that it can be cured. We have cases where people are diagnosed with TB and placed on treatment, but after two to three weeks, when they start feeling better, they leave the hospital and never return. Due to inadequate personnel and logistics for contact tracing, these patients continue to spread the disease until they die or are brought back for treatment continuation,” Wayah explained.
Need for Greater Government Involvement
Mr. Musa Liman, a TB DOTs Focal Person, stressed the need for the state government to take full responsibility for TB programs to enhance diagnosis and treatment. “In many cases, out of fear of stigma and rejection by family members and the community, some patients provide wrong telephone numbers and addresses when presenting for a TB test, making it difficult to trace them if they test positive. I often spend out of my own pocket to call patients to come for treatment, with no support from anyone. We have been appealing to the state government, Civil Society Organizations, and NGOs for assistance, but none has come yet,” he lamented.
Stories of Hope Amidst Struggles
Some survivors, including Mrs. Laris Garba, whose 20-year-old son was admitted for drug-resistant TB, remain hopeful. “I left all my means of livelihood to stay with my son in the hospital for TB treatment. He was so sick he could not stand up. Anytime he ate, he would throw up. But now that he is receiving treatment, he is getting better. He can stand and walk if I hold him, unlike before,” she shared.
Urgent Need for Local Funding
The Sole Administrator of ERCC Medical Services in Alushi, Dr. Slaku Lugard, emphasized that everyone is at risk of TB and called for collective efforts toward local funding, including budgetary provisions to combat the disease. “We receive support from international NGOs, including the Netherlands Foundation for TB treatment, but most of these organizations have recently informed us they are winding up. There is an urgent need for local funding and intervention; otherwise, we will be overwhelmed with TB in our communities soon,” Dr. Slaku noted.
Government Measures to Control TB. Commenting on the measures taken by the Nasarawa State Government to control the rising cases of TB, the State Director of Public Health, Dr. Ibrahim Al Hassan, mentioned that more equipment and logistics had been provided for contact tracing and treatment. “The state government is aware of the persistent surge of TB. That is why the government procured motorcycles and distributed them to health workers for TB programs, among other interventions,” Dr. Ibrahim added.