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The Nasarawa State Government has disclosed that no fewer than 8,190 residents of the state were diagnosed with Tuberculosis (TB) in 2024, with 35 persons losing their lives to the disease during the year under review.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Gaza Gwamna, made this known on Friday in Lafia while speaking at an event to mark the end of activities commemorating the 2025 World Tuberculosis Day.
According to the Commissioner, the number of TB cases recorded in 2024 represents an increase compared to the previous year’s figure of 7,275 cases, adding that the rise in cases is worrisome and demands renewed efforts to combat the disease.
Giving a breakdown of the statistics, Dr. Gwamna noted that 21 per cent of the TB cases recorded last year were co-infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).He said,
“In the year 2024, Nasarawa State detected a total of 8,190 TB cases. Sadly, 35 persons out of these cases died due to the severity of their condition.
The increase in numbers is quite alarming compared to 7,275 cases recorded in 2023, where 18 per cent of the cases had HIV co-infection.
“This clearly shows that TB is still prevalent in our state. There is an urgent need to intensify our efforts to end this menace.”
The Commissioner revealed that the state’s treatment success rate in the last quarter of 2024 stood at 89 per cent, falling short of the 95 per cent target set by the National TB Control Programme.
Dr. Gwamna further explained that children aged 0 to 14 years accounted for 8.5 per cent of total TB cases in the state, with 627 children diagnosed with the disease in 2024.
“This is still below the national target of 12 per cent contribution of TB cases from this age group,” he said, adding that the disease’s economic impact is significant as it mostly affects people between the ages of 15 and 55, who constitute the productive workforce.
The Commissioner lamented the rising cases of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (DRTB), disclosing that 60 cases of DRTB were recorded in the state in 2024.He said,
“To address this, we currently have a 10-bed capacity DRTB Treatment Centre at ERCC Hospital, Alushi. The facility, which was built and donated by Agbami Partners in 2017, caters for patients with complications, especially from adverse drug reactions.”
Dr. Gwamna identified some Local Government Areas (LGAs) that contributed significantly to the TB burden in the state. They include Nasarawa LGA, which recorded 1,846 cases; Nasarawa Eggon, 682 cases; Obi, 350 cases; Awe, 179 cases; Wamba, 178 cases; and Toto, 143 cases.
He emphasized that the Ministry of Health is collaborating with partners to eradicate TB in the state, noting that TB remains a public health concern due to its airborne and highly infectious nature.
“TB is commonly associated with symptoms such as a cough lasting two weeks or more, fever, chest pain, night sweats, and weight loss. It is often said that TB anywhere is TB everywhere,” he said.
Dr. Gwamna appealed to residents to take advantage of free TB testing and treatment services available in government health facilities across the state.
“We cannot continue to allow our children and the productive age group to die from this preventable and curable disease. The diagnosis and treatment of TB are completely free,” he stressed.
He also assured that the state government is working closely with the HIV programme to provide adequate care for patients who are co-infected with TB and HIV.
“I urge members of the public who notice signs and symptoms suggestive of TB to get tested without delay. Early detection and treatment remain the best way to fight this disease,” the Commissioner added.
