The Kwara State Commissioner for Health Amina El-Imam says the state recorded 1,869 cases of tuberculosis in 2023.

El-Imam, who spoke on Monday in Ilorin while delivering a speech at the commemoration of the 2024 World Tuberculosis Day, explained that the disease continues to claim over 4,000 lives daily globally.

She stressed the importance of investigating all cases and ensuring 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 said.

The commissioner highlighted the Kwara State Government’s collaboration with partners to ensure zero costs for tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment for patients.

She acknowledged Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s commitment to strengthening the state’s capacity for tuberculosis diagnosis and services across all wards.

Also speaking at the event, the representative of Prof. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, the Kwara Governor’s wife, Ganiyu Opeloyeru who is the D-G Ajike People’s Support Centre, reiterated the commitment to eliminating tuberculosis and promoting a healthy Kwara.

The governor’s wife urged Kwara residents to report suspected tuberculosis cases in their communities to reduce the risk of infection.

At the event, the Director of Public Health in the Kwara State Ministry of Health Oluwatosin Fakayode emphasized the importance of citizens supporting the various healthcare efforts of the present administration to help reduce TB spread, echoing this year’s theme.

The highlight of the 2024 World TB Day included an outreach to Mandate Market, Ilorin, where people were tested for tuberculosis free of charge.

Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a serious bacterial infection of the lungs, with symptoms such as a persistent bad cough, chest pain, and breathlessness.