Enugu State Records 2,496 Tuberculosis Cases, Provides Free-treatment

On Monday, the Enugu State Ministry of Health disclosed that the state has recorded 2,496 confirmed tuberculosis cases.

The state Commissioner for Health, Prof Ikechukwu Obi, revealed this during a press conference in Enugu to commemorate the 2024 World Tuberculosis Day, noting that data for 2023 is still being collated.

He urged residents experiencing persistent coughs to visit nearby primary healthcare facilities for screening and treatment, stating that treatment of tuberculosis is entirely free. The health commissioner also mentioned that the state provides TB services in 597 health facilities across the state.

Addressing reporters, Obi said this year’s World Tuberculosis Day theme is “Yes, We Can End TB,” celebrated globally on March 24 annually.

He explained that tuberculosis remains a global public health problem, with developing countries bearing the highest burden, stating that Nigeria is first in Africa and sixth in the world among countries with the highest TB burden.

“In 2022, an estimated 10.6 million people developed active TB globally,” he said.

He also highlighted the symptoms of active TB as chronic cough with blood-containing mucus, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. However, he noted that infections of other body parts can cause a wide range of symptoms.

Tuberculosis is spread from one person to another through the air when people with active TB in their lungs cough, spit, speak, or sneeze. People with latent infection do not spread the diseases. Active infection occurs more in people with HIV/AIDS and smokers.

The health commissioner said the diagnosis of TB is based on chest X-ray, microscopy, genexpert, and fluid culture.

Latent TB can be diagnosed on tuberculin skin tests or blood tests, while prevention of tuberculosis is through health education (primary level of prevention), screening those with high risk, early detection and treatment of cases, and vaccination with BCG, Obi added

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