Nigeria Still Among High TB Nations, Says Chukwu

[TGD]

 Unveils Key Milestones For 2012

THE number of tuberculosis (TB) cases in the country is on the increase despite efforts by government and other stakeholders, says Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu.

He said about 97, 799 TB cases were recorded in the last year (2012), noting that 83 per cent (81, 156) of these cases were tested for Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) with positivity rate of 26 per cent.

The minister spoke during an occasion to commemorate the 2013 World TB Day in Abuja Saturday.

Nigeria was still among 22 high burden countries that contributed 80 per cent of the estimated 8.7 million new Tuberculosis (TB) cases globally in 2012. He revealed that, "a total of 190,000 new cases were estimated in the country in 2011, out of which 27,000 persons died."

Chukwu lamented that the burden of TB in Nigeria is further worsened by challenges of HIV co-infection, drug-resistant TB and TB among children.

According to him, "the number of TB cases notified in the country has been on the increase over the years with about 97,799 TB cases notified in 2012. 81,156 of these cases (83 per cent) were tested for HIV with positivity rate of 26 per cent."

The Minister, however, reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to providing substantial human and financial resources to control TB in Nigeria and "forge new, strong partnerships to implement innovative strategies for the control of TB."

While calling on individuals and families to contribute to the fight against the disease, he said: "You can contribute to TB control efforts by identifying and encouraging anyone who has cough of more than two week's duration to go for TB screening and supporting those on TB treatment to complete their full course, which normally lasts six months."

He noted that in an effort to improve quality of care of TB patients in the country, about 83 per cent of the patients were screened for HIV in 2012.

Chukwu regretted that, "one case of extremely drug resistant TB case has been diagnosed in Nigeria." This, according to him, "is a wake-up call for all of us to do all we can to prevent its spread.

"For the first time since the onset of MDR-TB, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved funds for the purchase of second line drugs for 500 drug resistant TB patients in Nigeria in the total sum of N297, 872,488.00 in 2012.

On key milestones of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), a fact sheet obtained by The Guardian from the ministry listed the following:

Establishment of 200 free Acid Fast Bacilli microscopy laboratories in 2012;

97,799 TB cases notified out of the 190,000 new cases estimated by WHO;

Training of 400 laboratory personnel on AFB microscopy services in 2012;

Establishment of 332 DOTS centres for the treatment of TB;

Training of 664 Health Care Workers on the provision of DOTS Services in 2012;

Provision of sufficient quantities of first line anti-TB drugs with no reported stock outs in the last one year.



The Guardian