Tuberculosis K!lls 35 In Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Government reported that 35 individuals succumbed to complications related to tuberculosis (TB) throughout the state in 2024.
Dr. Gaza Gwamna, the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Health, shared this information during a press conference held in Lafia on Friday, March 28, to commemorate the 2025 World Tuberculosis Day.
He disclosed that the state documented 8,190 TB cases in 2024, noting that 21 percent of those affected were also living with HIV.
“Unfortunately, 35 of these individuals did not survive.
“The TB prevalence rate in 2024 was higher than in 2023, when we recorded 7,275 cases, with 18 per cent of them co-infected with HIV,” he said.
He emphasized that TB continues to pose a major public health issue in the state and urged for stronger measures to curb its transmission.
To tackle the problem, the commissioner stated that the state government, along with its partners, had enhanced public awareness initiatives and expanded the availability of treatment facilities to improve access for individuals exhibiting TB symptoms.
“As of December 2024, Nasarawa State had 386 directly observed therapy, short course (DOTS) treatment centers across all 13 local government areas (LGAs) for easy access,” he said.
He also mentioned that the state operates a drug-resistant TB (DRTB) Treatment Center at ERCC Hospital, Alushi—a 10-bed unit constructed, furnished, and provided by Agbami Partners in 2017 as a Chest Clinic.
“This center caters to DRTB patients experiencing complications, particularly those suffering from adverse drug reactions,” he added.
Offering a detailed overview of TB cases in 2024, Gwamna provided the following figures for select LGAs: Awe, 179 cases; Obi, 350 cases; Wamba, 178 cases; Nassarawa-Eggon, 682 cases; Nasarawa, 1,846 cases, and Toto, 143 cases.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
