RismadarVoice Reporters
March 23, 2026
The Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Baamlong, has disclosed that only 5,397 tuberculosis (TB) cases were officially recorded in 2025 out of an estimated 11,549 cases in the state.
Baamlong made the disclosure on Monday in Jos while briefing journalists to mark the 2026 World Tuberculosis Day, themed “Yes! We can end TB: Led by countries, powered by people.”
He expressed concern over the significant gap between estimated and reported cases, attributing it largely to limited access to healthcare in underserved and remote communities.
According to him, the state government, in collaboration with development partners, is intensifying efforts to expand diagnostic services to rural areas in order to bridge the gap.
The Commissioner warned that undiagnosed TB patients pose a serious public health risk, noting that a single untreated patient can infect between 10 and 15 people annually.
He, however, assured residents that TB diagnosis and treatment are completely free of charge in the state.
Baamlong revealed that 640 out of the 1,470 public and private health facilities in Plateau currently provide free, integrated TB control services.
He urged residents to seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms such as a persistent cough lasting more than two weeks, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss.
“The state government is committed to strengthening TB control programmes and improving healthcare delivery to reduce the burden of the disease,” he said.
The Commissioner commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang for prioritising efforts to combat TB and also appreciated the contributions of development partners supporting the state’s TB control initiatives.
