The Knowledge Network for Disease Control and Surveillance (formerly KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation Nigeria), in collaboration with Georgetown Global Health Nigeria (GGHN) and the Society for Family Health (SFH), have donated thirteen portable digital X-ray (PDX) machines for testing people for tuberculosis to the Bauchi State Government.
The equipment was handed over to the Government on Tuesday through the Ministry of Health and the Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (BACATMA).
Handing over the equipment to the state government, a representative of one of the donor partners, KNCV, Dr Simon Mafwalal, explained that the move is aimed at ensuring that tuberculosis is detected, treated and eradicated in the state.
He added that the digital equipment is a replica of those installed in the popular testing vehicle that was used to test people for the disease in order to determine their status.
He expressed optimism that if properly utilized, the equipment will prove to be an opportunity to save lives of TB patients across the state.
In his own goodwill message, the representative of GGHN, Dr. Abubakar Magaji, commended the state government for creating an enabling environment for donor partners to operate in the state without hindrance.
In his words, the equipment will complete the Government’s efforts in the fight and control of the spread of tuberculosis, especially in rural areas.
He added that considering that people living with HIV are prone to tuberculosis, teams will be deployed to know their status and be able to receive treatment.
Also speaking was the Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Ulcer Control Program Manager, who spoke on behalf of the National Program Coordinator, and congratulated the donors for the collaboration that led to the acquisition of the digital equipment.
He assured that the agency will continue to support organizations that are working throughout the country to eradicate the disease.
Earlier, BACATMA Director of Tuberculosis and Leprosy, Suleiman Danladi, said that the Agency is working around the clock to ensure that new cases are discovered so that immediate treatment can begin.
He assured that the PDX machines will be distributed across the state to facilities and communities and highlighted that everything related to tuberculosis is free as the government is doing everything possible to combat the menace.
Suleiman Danladi added that the state government has already submitted an application for the procurement of a sophisticated molecular machine that will complement the one already existing on the ground to effectively combat infectious diseases.
In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Sani Mohammed Dambam, commended the donor partners for the donation which he said will go a long way in complementing the government’s efforts in the fight against infectious diseases.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dauda Yakubu Mahmood, the Commissioner assured that the equipment will enable the Ministry to open more testing centers across the State.
According to him, “So far, Bayara Hospital is the only center in the state, but, with these thirteen teams, we are going to open more centers across the state for testing and immediate treatment.”
He called on the Health workers assigned to the management and operation of the equipment to be careful and use them according to the instructions and training received.
The Commissioner assured that Ministry officials will come out from time to time to monitor the progress of the system, warning that indolence will not be tolerated.
The Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (BACATMA), Dr. Musa Adamu Sambo, expressed his gratitude for having the equipment that the State had wanted for a long time.
He added that “Bauchi State is one of the states in the country that is fortunate to be the only one that has the equipment that will drive effective service delivery in the sector.”
Adamu Sambo added that “with these, we will expand our services to all 20 LGAs in the state. We used to have a center in Bayara, but now we can extend. We have mapped out the strategies for the deployment of the team.”
According to him, “Our goal is to be among the tuberculosis-free states by the year 2030, which is the target year for the eradication of tuberculosis in Nigeria.”
The distributions of the ten PDX machines are carried out by KNCV and the state government, two by SFH and the government and one by GGHN and the government. Five of the ten PDX machines are community-based, while the other five are facility-based.