AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has indicated readiness to harness necessary support and partnership to tame the incidences of TB in Nasarawa state.
A statement signed by the Advocacy and Marketing Manager, AHF – Nigeria, Steve Aborisade, said the revelation was made at the 2019 world TB day held Nasarawa state, at a community sensitisation program and partnership building which brought both government and notable civil society actors to review and adopt a roadmap of action for Keffi local government area of the state.
Speaking on the choice of Keffi, Nasarawa state, for the event, AHF Country Program Director, Dr. Echey Ijezie, said it was meant to respond to the reality of high TB incidence being recorded in Nasarawa state, by leveraging on AHF’s public engagement speciality to create awareness, educate the people, but importantly getting them to test for both TB and HIV/AIDS.
The statement recalled that AHF had called on countries and global public health institutions to ensure everyone affected by TB can access treatment and that resources are made available to fight this epidemic.
The organisation said the call “is particularly crucial for Nigeria, because of the country’s TB status: 407,000 people in Nigeria have TB each year, while the country is ranked 7th among the 30 high TB burden countries and second in Africa with 154,000 people dying each year from TB. There is a missing 300,000 cases of TB in Nigeria, 300, 000 people with TB but unaware, or are not on treatment (tbfacts.org).
“According to WHO, 30,000 children get TB in Nigeria each year. Whereas 47,000 children are eligible to receive preventative treatment, while, only about 8,500 children actually receive this preventative treatment, while an estimated 115,000 HIV negative people die from TB in Nigeria each year, with 39,000 HIV positive people also lost to TB.
The statement said Dr. Ijezie is of the opinion that “It is not difficult to comprehend what it means for so many people to be dying each year from TB.
Reacting, Director Primary HealthCare, Keffi Local Government Area (LGA), Alhaji Gambo Ibrahim, appreciated the effort of AHF in coming to Keffi and said the local government would offer the necessary assistance to ensure TB is stamped out totally.
Mrs Asabe Illiya, the Deputy Director, Primary Health Care, Keffi LGA said AHF intervention is a welcome development, particularly because of its focus on educating women and highlighting the risks of TB to children.
‘I must also thank AHF for distributing free sanitary pads to our women and girls.’’ The Executive Director, Community Health Program for Women and Youth in Nigeria (CHPWYN), Mrs. Mary Ashie said her organisation is ready to work with AHF to achieve a TB free Nasarawa State.
Other state officials in attendance include: Mr. Kumur Dogos, of the Nasarawa state TB Control Program, Keffi Local Government TB Coordinator, Mr. Dogara Danjuma, Keffi Local Government Mobilization Officer, Alhaji Mustapha Abubakar.
Dr. Austin Nedu, AHF Nasarawa state coordinator thanked every partner and reiterated the commitment of the organisation to always support government effort to end TB and HIV in the state. Dr. Austin said the turn out of the people to screen for TB is indicative of the impact of the mobilization program and implore everyone to endeavour to know their HIV and TB status.
