The Society for Family Health (SFH) has expressed concern over the increasing spread of tuberculosis (TB) among children in Kano State.
Pharmacist Jane Adizue, the lead for TB and Corporate Philanthropy at SFH, voiced this concern during a roundtable discussion on enhancing child-focused TB care and treatment in Kano, organized by SFH.
She said, “The challenges associated with TB include prompt diagnosis, care, and guidance. We are here today to explore ways to improve treatment for our children.
“Kano, being Nigeria’s most populous state, has a widespread issue with childhood TB. We have identified hotspots, but due to poor information and misinformation in the community, people are unaware of the steps to take to ensure their children receive proper diagnosis and treatment.
“Nigeria ranks 6th globally in TB cases, and states with large urban populations are more predisposed to TB, especially among children.
“In Kano State, we have a five per cent TB yield for children, meaning that for every 100 cases, five are children. It is crucial for those affected to seek treatment.”
Dr Ibrahim Umar, the state programme manager for the TB and Leprosy control programme, noted that Kano, which has the highest burden of TB in Nigeria, is making significant progress in detecting and treating patients.
However, he emphasized that due to the state’s large population, stakeholders must collaborate to address the issue. He highlighted that the state has provided facilities for free screening and diagnosis.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders in Kano State to discuss strategies for promoting childhood TB programmes.
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