Tuberculosis has claimed the lives of 300 patients in Ogun state in 2023.
The Senior programme officer of Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), Ms Florinda Olawusi who disclosed this said over 6,000 cases were recorded in the state in 2023.
Olawusi who was speaking at the 2024 World Tuberculosis Day, said there had been over a 100 per cent rise from 2019, adding that according to data from the IHVN and USAID TB-LON 3 project for Ogun State, 3000 cases were recorded in 2019.
She said 95 per cent of the patients were being treated.
Since the inception of TB long 3 project in Ogun state which started in 2019, Ogun state was diagnosing a little over 3,000 cases annually but presently from 2019 till now for example last year in 12 months they were able to diagnose over 6,000 cases which is a huge increment. Its over a 100 per cent increase in the number of cases diagnosed.
“The treatment lasts for six months. So, what that means is that after six months once the duration of the treatment is complete the patient leaves the program. As at last year, we were able to identify 6,000 cases and 95% of them were placed on treatment,” she said.
The state programme manager for TB and Leprosy Control, Olusola Taiwo, said “One of the predisposing factors for TB infection is staying in overcrowded environment, so people should stay where there is good ventilation, indiscriminate pit, they should try put on their coughing etiquette to prevent the spreading of TB germs.”
