Oyo govt trains supervisors to strengthen tuberculosis case management

The Oyo State Government, through the Ministry of Health, has trained the Local Government Area Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Supervisors (LGATBLS) to strengthen tuberculosis (TB) case detection, management and control across the state.

Speaking at a two-day capacity-building training held at Scrolab Executive Hotel, Oke Ado, Ibadan, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, the Commissioner for Health and a medical doctor, said that the training was designed to equip newly appointed supervisors with the knowledge and skills required for effective tuberculosis (TB) case management, while updating existing supervisors on current approaches and best practices in TB control.

The Commissioner, represented by the Director of Secondary Health Care and Training, Johnson Babalola, medical doctor, expressed optimism that Oyo State could contribute significantly to achieving the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) End TB Strategy targets of reducing TB-related deaths by 90 per cent and new cases by 80 per cent by 2030, with the long-term goal of ending the global TB epidemic by 2035.

She explained that significant improvements had been recorded in TB case detection since 2020, attributing the progress to the implementation of key strategies, including early case detection, prompt treatment and TB preventive treatment for eligible individuals infected with the bacteria but who have not developed active TB disease.

Ajetunmobi also highlighted the availability of screening and diagnostic tools as a major contributor to the state’s progress in TB management. These include portable digital chest X-ray equipment and rapid diagnostic technologies such as GeneXpert, Truenat MTB/RIF, TB-LAMP and LF-LAM, which support timely diagnosis and treatment across many local government areas.

Speaking on the signs and symptoms of tuberculosis, the Commissioner identified a persistent cough lasting two weeks or longer as a major warning sign, particularly when accompanied by weight loss, fatigue, fever, night sweats, chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood or loss of appetite.

He further explained that TB symptoms in children may include persistent low-grade fever that does not respond to malaria treatment, weight loss, poor appetite, failure to thrive, and swelling of the joints or bones.

Speaking on behalf of the TBL Supervisors, the Chairman of the TBLS Forum for Oyo State, Akanbi Oyebamiji, expressed appreciation to the management of the Oyo State Ministry of Health and the entire State Team, led by the State Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme Manager (STBLCPM), Rabiu Zaynab, for organising the capacity-building training.

A two-day training is expected to strengthen the capacity of supervisors to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to improve timely TB detection, effective case management and treatment outcomes in their respective local government areas.