The National Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP) says over 2,000 positive tuberculosis cases have been detected in the first half of 2023 in Plateau.
Dr Shedrack Dimang, the Zonal Medical Officer in charge of the NTBLCP in the North Central, said this on Monday in Jos, at the commencement of the national tuberculosis testing week.
Dimang said the positive cases were detected from hospitals and outreaches conducted in the state.
“The rise in case detection is a result of an increase in public awareness and the public doing away with misconceptions as regards the disease.
“The aim of the week-long testing is to create awareness about Tuberculosis (TB) and to also intensify TB case findings.
“We also aim at putting those vulnerable to developing active TB on preventive treatment and prevent community spreading, as every undiagnosed and untreated case could infect 15 people within a year,’’ he said.
Dimang noted that during the testing week, those detected would be promptly placed on treatment as there would be prompt notification of persons who tested positive.
He said the move would help address the issue of low TB case findings due to low awareness of the disease.
Similarly, Dr Bunmi Alagbe, Programme Officer in charge of TB at Breakthrough Action, an NGO, said the essence of the week was to increase TB case findings, as the state had a high prevalence rate
