The Nasarawa State Ministry of Health has disclosed that the state recorded 8,190 tuberculosis (TB) cases in 2024, an increase from 7,275 cases in 2023. Notably, 21% of these patients were also co-infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), highlighting a significant public health challenge.
State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Gaza Gwamna, revealed these statistics during a press briefing, emphasizing the urgent need for integrated health interventions to address the dual burden of TB and HIV. He noted that the state's TB treatment success rate for the last quarter of 2024 was 89%, which falls short of the National TB Control Programme's target of 95%.
The co-infection of TB and HIV presents complex treatment challenges, as both diseases can exacerbate each other's progression. Health authorities in Nasarawa State are calling for increased public awareness, early detection, and adherence to treatment regimens to combat these intertwined epidemics effectively.