In the span of the initial half of 2023, the National Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer, and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP) have confirmed more than 2,000 positive tuberculosis cases within Plateau state.
As the National Tuberculosis Testing Week commenced in Jos, Shedrack Dimang, the Zonal Medical Officer overseeing the NTBLCP’s activities in the North-Central region, unveiled this significant statistic on Monday.
Dimang revealed that these positive cases were uncovered through hospital visits and outreach initiatives conducted throughout the state.
He highlighted that the purpose of the week-long testing campaign is to raise awareness about tuberculosis and provide preventive treatment to those who are susceptible to the disease.
“The rise in case detection is attributed to increased public awareness and the dispelling of misconceptions surrounding the disease,” Dimang stated.
Furthermore, during the course of the testing week, individuals who test positive will promptly receive treatment, as efforts will be made to notify them without delay.
In a similar vein, Plateau’s Commissioner for Health, Cletus Shurkuk, emphasized that the objective of the week is to generate widespread awareness about tuberculosis through community outreaches. The comprehensive week-long testing will be executed across the state’s 17 local government areas.
Represented by the Ministry’s Director of Medical Services, Audu Samuel, Shurkuk expressed concern that TB, a preventable and treatable ailment, has unfortunately caused fatalities and disabilities among the populace in the state.
He urged individuals presenting symptoms such as persistent weight loss and cough lasting more than two weeks to seize the opportunity for free testing and treatment at designated medical outreach centers within their respective localities.