Nigeria ranks third in the world and first in Africa in terms of tuberculosis cases. Every year, about 245000 Nigerians die from TB and around 590000 new cases are reported in Nigeria. TB accounts for more than 10% of all deaths in Nigeria. Despite available treatment, every hour, about 30 people die from the disease in Nigeria and Plateau State has its fair share of this burden of TB in the country.
World TB Day 2023 with the theme ‘Yes! We can end TB!’, according to WHO, aims to inspire hope and encourage high-level leadership, increased investments, faster uptake of new WHO recommendations, adoption of innovations, accelerated action, and multi-sectoral collaboration to combat the TB epidemic. This year is critical, with opportunities to raise visibility and political commitment at the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on TB. The spotlight of World TB Day will be on urging countries to ramp up progress in the lead-up to the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on TB. WHO will also issue a call to action with partners urging Member States to accelerate the rollout of the new WHO-recommended shorter all-oral treatment regimens for drug-resistant TB.
World Tuberculosis Day is commemorated annually on the 24th of March to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of tuberculosis, and to step up efforts to end the global tuberculosis epidemic. The date marks the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch announced he had discovered the bacterium that causes tuberculosis, which opened the way towards diagnosing and curing the disease.
APHPN Plateau State branch is ever ready to contribute its quota in any way possible toward the reduction of not only TB morbidity and mortality, but also improve and maintain good health in Plateau State, Nigeria and the whole world. APHPN Plateau State in conjunction with the state ministry of health (SMOH0 and other partners (Breakthrough action, APIN) engaged in some activities during the celebration.
- Media engagement
- Community sensitization
- TB awareness walk
- Press briefing
Awareness walk and community sensitization on world TB Day 2023 in Jos by APHPN members and other organisations
APHPN chairman, Plateau State chapter Prof, C. A Miner (right) and the state epidemiologist (left) at separate media briefings during the World TB Day celebrations in Plateau State
talk and screening for hepatitis and HIV during the World TB Day 2023 in Jos. This was done at the Gyel community square in Jos South Local government area of Plateau State.
APHPN Plateau State chapter members during the World TB Day celebration on the 24th of March 2023
Dr. Kwatmen Hilary Damhen
Secretary
