Tuberculosis: Institute raises alarm over high rate of death in Ogun

The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, HVN, has raised the alarm over the high level of death caused by tuberculosis in Ogun State.

The institute noted that over 300 patients out of over 6,000 cases recorded in Ogun State in 2023 died of tuberculosis.

Senior programme officer of IHVN, Florinda Olawusi, stated this in Abeokuta, while speaking with newsmen, at the 2024 World Tuberculosis Day.

The programme officer emphasised that there was a more than 100% rise from the 2019 data gathered by the institute.

She further said data from the IHVN and USAID TB-LON 3 project for Ogun State, 3000 cases were recorded in 2019.

She noted that 95% of the patients were already placed on treatment.

“Since the inception of the TB Long 3 project in Ogun State which started in 2019, Ogun State was diagnosing a little over 3,000 cases annually but presently from 2019 till now for example last year in 12 months they were able to diagnose over 6,000 cases which is a huge increment. It is over a 100% increase in the number of cases diagnosed.

“The treatment lasts for six months. So, what that means is that after six months, once the duration of the treatment is complete the patient leaves the program. As of last year, we were able to identify 6,000 cases and 95% of them were placed on treatment,” she said.

Responding to questions on the number of deaths, he said “Yes, there have been some TB-related deaths in the past year, a little over 300 patients died from TB-related causes last year in Ogun State.”

The state programme manager for TB and Leprosy Control, Olusola Taiwo, also said one of the factors aiding the surge of tuberculosis is staying in overcrowded environments.

He appealed to residents to “stay where there is good ventilation and try to ensure good coughing etiquette to prevent the spread of TB germs.