The Nasarawa State Government has confirmed that 35 people died from tuberculosis complications in 2024.
Dr. Gaza Gwamna, the state Commissioner for Health, revealed this during a press conference in Lafia on Friday to mark World Tuberculosis Day 2025.
He stated that the state recorded 8,190 TB cases last year, with 21% of patients also infected with HIV.
“Unfortunately, 35 of these individuals did not survive,” Gwamna said.
He noted that TB cases in 2024 were higher compared to 2023, when the state recorded 7,275 cases, with 18% co-infected with HIV.
To tackle the growing TB cases, the government has increased awareness campaigns and expanded treatment centers across the state.
“As of December 2024, Nasarawa had 386 TB treatment centers (DOTS) across all 13 local government areas for easier access,” Gwamna said.
He also highlighted the Drug-Resistant TB (DRTB) Treatment Center at ERCC Hospital, Alushi, a 10-bed facility built in 2017 to handle complicated TB cases.
Providing details of TB cases in 2024, he listed the highest numbers in the following areas:
- Nasarawa LGA – 1,846 cases
- Nasarawa-Eggon – 682 cases
- Obi – 350 cases
- Awe – 179 cases
- Wamba – 178 cases
- Toto – 143 cases
To speed up TB diagnosis, Nasarawa introduced its first GeneXpert machine in 2014, which provides results within two hours.
“As of now, we have 15 GeneXpert sites with 20 machines operating in 10 out of 13 LGAs,” he noted.
Additionally, the state has molecular diagnostic platforms at General Hospitals in Toto and Keffi, with new installations coming to Ummaisha and Assakio. TB-LAMP machines are also available at Federal University Teaching Hospital Lafia, Mararaba Gurku Medical Centre, and other hospitals.
Gwamna reaffirmed Governor Abdullahi Sule’s commitment to improving healthcare and increasing budgetary support for TB programs.
He urged residents experiencing symptoms such as persistent cough for two weeks, fever, weight loss, chest pain, or night sweats to visit the nearest health facility for a check-up.
“The goal is to reduce TB cases to the lowest level possible and eventually eliminate the disease,” he assured.
