We relegated Tuberculosis diagnosis, treatment – Bauchi govt pledges more funding

The Bauchi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to increased funding, effective resource management and collaboration with stakeholders aimed at reducing Tuberculosis outbreak in the state.

Speaking during an advocacy visit by the Bauchi-based NGO, Langa Women Development Initiative, on Friday at his office in Bauchi, the State Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning, and Multilateral Coordination, Aminu Hamayyo, expressed the government’s commitment to addressing the TB burden through strategic planning and implementation of activities.

DAILY POST reports that the visit focuses on financing TB management and eradication through prompt and adequate releases of budgetary allocations.

The Commissioner lamented that tuberculosis control and management has been relegated to the background compared to other public health diseases in the state.

He pledged to support the relevant agencies by increasing budgetary allocations for health services, specifically targeting TB programs.

His words, “This funding is essential for supporting TB diagnosis, treatment, and prevention initiatives and building the capacity of workers.”

“The government is committed to budgetary allocations for TB control and will support the disbursement and timely release of allocated funds, which are crucial for effective TB management.” He added.

The Commissioner reassured that collaboration with Civil Society Organizations, CSOs and other relevant bodies will continue to improve TB care and management, ensure adequate funding, and optimize resource allocation.

Similarly, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Adamu Sambo, said his ministry would ensure the consistent availability of TB drugs and diagnostic equipment, as well as address logistical issues in remote areas.

Dr. Sambo further pledged to strengthen coordination mechanisms between the state government and CSOs to ensure the seamless implementation of TB programs.

Earlier, Amb. Grace Maikudi, Executive Director of Langa Women Development Initiative, stated that their visit aimed to ensure that funds are specifically allocated for TB control activities, facilitating better planning and execution.

She said, “Regular delays in fund disbursement hinder the timely implementation of TB control activities, leading to stockouts of TB medications, interruptions in TB services, and reduced outreach efforts.”

While giving an overview of the infection in Bauchi state, Dr Yakubu Gida, Director of Tuberculosis at the Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Tuberculosis, and Leprosy (BACATMA), stated that with the national TB prevalence at 330 per 100,000 population and an incidence rate of 219 per 100,000 population, with an estimated population of 7,500,896 in 2023, estimated TB cases for Bauchi stand at 16,427.

Gida, however, revealed that at the end of 2023, only 9,297 TB cases were notified, giving a state TB notification rate of 56% adding that over 7,130 (44%) TB cases in the state are undetected, which serve as a reservoir for continued transmission, referred to as ‘The Missing TB Cases.’

He said that the number of DOT centres in the state is 719 (Target 799 @ 10/100,000 population), the number of microscopy centres is 127 (Target 340 @ 1/50,000 population), the number of GeneXpert machines is 16 (Target one per LGA), Truenat is 3, and TB Lamp is 8.