71,000 TB Patients Detected In Nigeria - Dakum

The Chief Executive Officer (CFO), Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), Dr Patrick Dakum, has explained that 71,000 tuberculosis (TB) patients have been detected by a partnership between the Institute on Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) and medical players in the private sect, including patent medicine vendors within two years.

Speaking during the annual conference of the Association of Nigerian Health Journalists (ANHEJ) in Auta Balefi, Nasarawa State, Dr Dakum further explained that the partnership had to do with working with community pharmacies, private laboratories and faith-based organisations to screen and refer TB patients for treatment in hospitals in 21 states.

He noted that the country detects 27 per cent of the estimated incidents of TB, saying that low TB case detection remained a major challenge in the TB control effort in Nigeria.

According to Dakum, Nigeria is sixth among 30 TB high burden countries in the world with the highest burden in Africa.

He said, “various interventions had impeded the spread of many diseases of public health concern in Nigeria,” adding that the institute had been playing a part in improving health interventions to address infectious and non-infectious diseases since 2004."