Executive Chairman, Ibadan Northeast Local Government, Oyo state, Hon. Ibrahim Akintayo says he has approved the release of funds to support Multi drug resistant TB patients in the local government.
Hon. Akintayo disclosed this while speaking at the flag off of the Oyo state 2024 world Tuberculosis Day celebration held at the council Secretariat, Iwo road, Ibadan.
The council chairman who hinted that Ibadan Northeast local government has been identified as the LGA with the highest number of new TB cases, and highest number of TB drug resistance cases said the fund was to minimize the proportion of cases lost to follow up and dangerous treatment interruptions.
He said “Currently Nigeria is among the 14 countries in the world with the highest burden for TB, TB/HIV and multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB).
“Also in Oyo State, Ibadan North East is one of the LGAs with the highest number of new TB cases, and highest number of MD-R TB cases lost to follow up. On a brighter note, IBNE is the overall 3rd best in case finding activities in Oyo State, with room for more improvement (2023 DHIS2 Data).
“For these reasons, I have approved the release of funds to support Multi drug resistant TB patients in Ibadan North East in order to minimize the proportion of cases lost to follow up and dangerous treatment interruptions.
“I hope to make this support more regular with time, and also support other TB/HIV control activities in Ibadan North East LGA in particular.
“Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease, caused by a group of bacteria. It is contagious and commonly affects the lungs in adults. It is a disease of poverty affecting mostly young adults in their most productive years. TB bacteria is spread through the air from an untreated or poorly treated person with TB to another person.
“An infectious, untreated pulmonary TB patient will infect an average of 10-15 persons per year, and this is why early diagnosis through testing of any one with symptoms suggestive of Tuberculosis is quite important.
“As we flag off the World TB Day in Oyo State today, I enjoin us to seize the opportunity to present ourselves, our community members and relatives who may have symptoms of TB, for free testing on this premises.
“Treatment after diagnosis is also free, courtesy of the National TB & Leprosy control programme, Federal Ministry of Health, and our partners.” He added.
Earlier, Oyo state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi has revealed that a total number of one hundred and seventy thousand (170,000) residents were screened for tuberculosis in Oyo state in 2023.
Dr. Ajetunmobi, however disclosed that, out of the 170,000 people screened, thirteen thousand, (13,000) result returned positive and were placed on free treatment in its health facilities across the state.
Represented by the director of public health, Dr Akintunde Babatunde at the event held at Ibadan Northeast local government secretariate, Iwo road, Dr. Ajetunmobi explained that the state government in collaboration with development partners has provided free TB services across 684 health facilities in the 33 LGAs with an ongoing expansion of TB services in all nooks and crannies of the State.
Also speaking, Oyo State Director, USAID Breakthrough Action Nigeria, a major development partner in the fight against TB, Mrs Oluwatoyin Afachung appealed to members of the public not stigmatize against people with Tuberculosis.
The flag off ceremony begins a one week advocacy in free TB screening and treatment in all the 33 local government areas of Oyo state starting from 25th to 29th March, 2024.
