In a solemn revelation, Dr. Amina El-Imam, the Kwara State Commissioner for Health, disclosed that Tuberculosis had claimed the lives of 1,869 individuals in Kwara in 2023. This staggering statistic was shared during her address at the 2024 World Tuberculosis Day commemoration in Ilorin, where she emphasized the global impact of the disease, which continues to claim over 4,000 lives daily.
Dr. El-Imam underscored the critical importance of promptly investigating all cases of Tuberculosis and ensuring that patients receive the necessary anti-TB drugs. She stressed that treating all active cases is essential to breaking the chain of transmission of the disease, highlighting the Kwara State Ministry of Health’s unwavering commitment to identifying and treating Tuberculosis cases through community sensitization and active case search initiatives.
Furthermore, Dr. El-Imam lauded the collaborative efforts between the Kwara Government and its partners to provide Tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment at zero cost to patients. She commended Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s dedication to enhancing the state’s capacity for Tuberculosis diagnosis and services in all wards.
In a show of solidarity, Prof. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, the wife of the Kwara governor, reiterated the government’s resolve to eradicate Tuberculosis and promote a healthier Kwara. She urged all residents to promptly report any suspected cases of Tuberculosis in their communities to mitigate the risk of infection.
Pulmonary Tuberculosis, a severe bacterial infection of the lungs, manifests with symptoms such as a persistent cough, chest pain, and breathlessness. The battle against Tuberculosis rages on, with stakeholders in Kwara united in their mission to combat this insidious disease and safeguard the health of their community.
