Osun links TB spread to migration, treatment interruption

File photo: Osun State Map

The Osun State Government has identified the movement of some migrant miners from northern Nigeria and the interruption of tuberculosis treatment as factors contributing to the spread of the disease in the state.

The Osun State Programme Manager for Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer at the Ministry of Health, Dr Rotimi Oladele, disclosed this at a one-day community dialogue with health workers in Osogbo.

The event, tagged Combat Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) Project, brought together health workers, public health experts, operators of non-governmental organisations, community members, the Damian Foundation and the Shead Foundation.

In a statement by the Osun State TB Network, the organisers of the event, obtained in Osogbo on Friday, Oladele said some miners diagnosed with tuberculosis in Atakunmosa West and Atakunmosa East Local Government Areas had relocated before they could begin treatment.

Responding to questions on factors contributing to the spread of the disease, he said, “From experience, we had a group of northerners in one of the local governments — Atakunmosa West and Atakunmosa East. You know, we have miners there. We diagnosed them, but before we could commence treatment, we discovered that they had migrated again to an unknown place.

“So, it is affecting us. For some of them, they might be on drugs, or they may have just been diagnosed in the North. They just disappear and then reappear here. It is affecting the spread.”

Oladele warned that patients who failed to complete their tuberculosis treatment or take their medication as prescribed could continue transmitting the disease.

“Once you are on tuberculosis treatment and you have not completed it, and you do not use the drug as prescribed by the doctors or by the programme, then there will not be the expected outcome.

“The individual will keep spreading the disease anywhere he goes,” he said.

He called on media organisations to support government efforts by raising public awareness about tuberculosis and encouraging people experiencing symptoms to seek medical attention.

Speaking at the event, the Osun State TB Network Coordinator, Joseph Abioye, said the dialogue was designed to provide a platform for health workers and community members to share experiences in diagnosing, treating and supporting patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis.

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He said the engagement was also aimed at improving awareness of healthcare workers’ roles, the challenges they face and their needs in the fight against the disease.

“And most importantly, it is also to identify practical solutions and best practices that can enhance community-driven responses to drug-resistant tuberculosis,” Abioye stated.

He said the state government had data on tuberculosis cases and was working to ensure that infected people had access to medication.

Abioye explained that the state conducted monthly data harmonisation involving partners, local government supervisors and the state TB programme team to collate and validate information on the disease.

“I can boldly say we have data, as we always do our monthly data harmonisation, which cuts across the partners in the state, the local government supervisors at the local government level, and also the State TB programme team. We all come together as one and then collate and validate our data before we can say this is what we have,” he said.

He added that the data covered people suspected of having tuberculosis, those undergoing treatment, patients with drug-resistant TB and treatment supporters responsible for helping them manage the disease.

The coordinator commended stakeholders working to control tuberculosis in Osun but said more support was needed, including from private individuals and philanthropists.

“We are trying our best, but our best is not enough. That is the main reason we call for support from philanthropists. This time around, I won’t say from government alone again,” he said.

He urged individuals willing to contribute to community development to support people living with tuberculosis in the state.

“I want to call on individuals who want to make a positive impact in the community. Our TB unit is also an area to invest their resources to support people living with tuberculosis, so that we can be able to eradicate tuberculosis in Osun State,” Abioye added.