Bauchi Records 2,000 Tuberculosis Cases In One Year

The Bauchi State Government says the state recorded 2,000 cases of tuberculosis in 2011.

The Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, Leprosy and Malaria (BACATMA), Dr Mohammed Liman disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi.

Liman, however, disclosed that 95 per cent of the infected persons were treated and cured of the disease within the period under review.

“Last year we recorded over 2,000 patients and I am telling you that over 95 per cent of them were successfully treated and they are now well and cured.

“We have moved far now, we have almost reached the target of the WHO essentially in the last three, four years, we have been able to expand from 22 diagnostic services to now 55.

“And we have moved also in terms of the treatment sites from 55 to now 138.

“N48 million was released and he has just approved for the next phase of the Memorandum of Understanding to the tune of N17million.

“In addition to that some, funds have just been allocated in the budget to enable us to roll out especially the Community-Tuberculosis-Cure Initiative.

“The plan we have is essentially to intensify our case finding, because you have to identify persons that are infected with tuberculosis.

“It is only when you identify these persons that we will be able to bring down the burden of tuberculosis in the state.”

Liman, who speaking in the aftermath of this year’s World Tuberculosis Day Celebration, said that the achievements recorded followed uninterrupted supply of drugs and awareness campaign embarked upon by the agency.

“For the last two, three years, we had uninterrupted supply of anti-tuberculosis medicines and all commodities.

“The stock was out in other states, but in Bauchi we had adequate plans and had not entered into stock out and maintaining uninterrupted supply.

“A lot has been achieved in terms of creating awareness among people, so that people who have been coughing for at least two weeks or more have access to diagnosis and treatment of TB which are all free.

“In addition to that, we have intensified our efforts to reach remote communities with all TB related activities,” Liman added.