The Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, says Tuberculosis claimed about 1,869 lives in Kwara in 2023.
El-Imam revealed this on Monday in Ilorin while delivering a speech at the commemoration of the 2024 World Tuberculosis Day, explaining that the disease continues to claim over 4,000 lives daily globally.
She emphasized the importance of investigating all cases and ensuring that patients receive anti-TB drugs.
“It is only when all active cases are treated that we can break the chain of transmission of Tuberculosis.
“The Kwara State Ministry of Health remains committed to finding cases of Tuberculosis wherever they may be.
“We are intensifying community sensitization and active case search using our well-established structures of community informants, surveillance officers, and community TB/HIV workers,” she affirmed.
El-Imam highlighted the Kwara Government’s collaboration with partners to ensure zero costs for Tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment for patients.
She acknowledged Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s commitment to strengthening the state’s capacity for Tuberculosis diagnosis and services across all wards.
Also speaking, the wife of the Kwara governor, Prof. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, represented by Ganiyu Opeloyeru, the Director-General of Ajike People’s Support Center, reiterated the government’s commitment to eliminate tuberculosis and promote a healthy Kwara.
Abdulrazaq urged all Kwara residents to report suspected tuberculosis cases in their communities to reduce the risk of infection.
According to reports, the Pulmonary tuberculosis is a serious bacterial infection of the lungs, with symptoms such as persistent bad cough, chest pain, and breathlessness
