Kano state government KNSG says it has targeted 6,000 children across 1,346 health centers for free testing and treatment of tuberculosis.
The state commissioner for health Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf made the indication during a press briefing to commemorate the 2024 national tuberculosis testing week (NCTWTB).
According to him the commemoration is special, as it is integrated with other health services such as nutrition, HIV services, free X ray and targeted school and Tsangaya-based TB screening.
Others are targeted community outreach, screening of children in paediatric clinics, immunization units and wards, vulnerable children in orphanage and streets, contact tracing of diagnosed children and placement on TB preventive treatment, among others.
The commissioner described TB as a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis,which is airborne and generally affects the lungs but can affect any organ of the body.
Dr. Abubakar pointed out that, it can be transmitted from an infected person with the active form of the disease to another commonly through coughing, sneezing, singing, talking or laughter and presents with a cough of two or more weeks with or without associated fever, weight loss or night sweat.
“Other associated symptoms in children may include failure to thrive/poor weight gain, lethargy, coughing of blood, swollen lymph nodes and loss of appetite”
He maintained that undiagnosed or untreated children with TB disease can transmit it to about 10-15 people within one year, urging parents and caregivers to present their children for free testing.
“It is our children’s right to be screened for TB, it is our duty as parents to ensure the health and well-being of our children and Kano State Government must provide the needed TB services”
Dr Abubakar maintained that KNSG in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health through the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Program and Partners has provided the needed equipment, drugs, trained personnel and other resources.
“Including the recently deployed 20 Portable Digital X-Ray machines 26 GeneXpert Machines, 6 TrueNat and 9 TB LAMP machines, over 250 Microscopes, thousands of HIV Test Kits and TB and HIV Medications, amongst others”
The commissioner urged the media to redouble their efforts in sensitizing the public against the danger of tuberculosis and the importance of presenting their children for screening and treatment.
He commended the federal government, development partners, Hisbah, council of Ulama, CAN and the media for their support towards improving the health status of Kano citizens.