Plateau State has an estimated tuberculosis (TB) burden of 11,000 cases in 2026, while 2,047 cases were detected between July and September, according to an official of the state Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme.
Yohanna Bot, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the programme, disclosed this during the first bi-annual media-focused advocacy meeting on the Global Fund AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Integrated Community-Led Monitoring (ICLM) Project in Jos.
Bot said the estimated figure was based on a TB prevalence rate of 219 cases per 100,000 people, adding that those detected during the three-month period had been placed on treatment.
“Tuberculosis spreads through the air, and factors such as malnutrition, overcrowding and weak immunity can increase the risk of infection, especially among children under five and people living with HIV,” Bot said.
He also identified stigma and misconceptions about the disease as major challenges, noting that some people believed TB was caused by spiritual or ritual factors.
According to him, such beliefs could prevent people from seeking medical attention early, thereby delaying diagnosis and treatment.
“Insecurity and displacement have made it difficult for health workers to detect TB cases in affected areas such as Mangu, Jos South and Barkin Ladi,” Bot said.
He added that overcrowding in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps could increase the risk of transmission.
He said the programme was prioritising outreach and active screening in IDP camps and correctional centres to identify people who might have the disease.
Bot said patients who receive appropriate TB treatment become non-infectious within about two weeks of starting treatment.
However, he raised concerns over shortages of anti-TB drugs, explaining that the programme relied heavily on support from the Global Fund and that supply-chain disruptions could create gaps in the availability of medicines.