The World Health Organisation has raised alarm over increasing rate of Tuberculosis (TB) infection in Borno state
This was disclosed during the North-East Nigeria 13th WHO End-Term Joint Operations Review (JOR) in Yola,
The body described it as a likely time bomb for the nation if preventive measures are not put in place to curb the spread
An estimated 9.9 million people were infected with TB in 2020, with Nigeria having the highest number of TB cases in Africa and accounting for 4.6% of the Global TB burden, thus is according to the WHO Global TB report 2021.
Tuberculosis remains a major public health problem globally and is one of the leading causes of death worldwide.
The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria has identified Lagos State as the epicentre of Tuberculosis in the country, with more than 300,000 cases left undiagnosed nationwide every year.
It appear that Borno state will soon be on top of the infection map
At the inauguration of three days workshop organised by WHO for critical stakeholders in the zone, the organisation’s Head of Mission disclosed that the rate of tuberculosis infection in Borno is worrisome and warned that tuberculosis in Borno could become epidemic.
But he assured of WHO’s readiness to work with Borno Government to address the problem.
Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno talked about the state of health care in Borno and how insurgency crippled more than 50 percent of health institutions, killing medical personnel and abducting many more.
The governor who was represented by the Borno Commissioner for Health, Dr Baba Malam-Gana, said the attack on Healthcare infrastructure accounts for the high rate of tuberculosis.
Governor of Adamawa state Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Felix Tangwami, he thanked the organisation for its contributions to the state in many ways.
It is expected that at the end the North-East Nigeria 13th WHO meeting, the organisation will come out with a blue print that will help the governors of the region to tackle health issues confronting the zone.
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