Benue has the highest prevalence of TB in the country

12,000 persons infected with TB in Benue
No fewer that 12,000 persons are said to be infected with tuberculosis across the 23 local government area of Benue State.

This accounts for over 53 per cent  of patients suffering from the disease in the entire North Central zone in the country.
Permanent Secretary of the Benue State Ministry of Health, Dr. Jonathan Kwaghtsule made this known during the commissioning of a Chest Clinic donated to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH, by Chevron Nigeria Limited and it’s partners at the Agbami Oil Fields.

Kwaghtsule said, “the prevalence of Tiberculosis in Benue State in 2012 was 144/100,000 while new cases were pegged at 6,262. “

In his speech, the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Deji Haastrup said that the clinic was meant to add value to the lives of the people and also contribute positively to the socio-economic development of the country.

Haastrup said that several other projects, mainly chest clinics and science laboratories constitute an aspect of the strategic intervention plan of the Agbami partners in the six geopolitical zones of the country.

Commissioning the clinic, the State Governor, Dr. Gabriel Suswam who was represented by his Deputy, Chief Stephen Lawani commended the Agbami partners for the gesture. noting that the clinic would help in addressing the health needs of the people especially as Benue was rated high in the area of HIV/AIDS and TB prevalence.

Suswam also urged the people infected with the disease to see the project as an opportunity get adequate treatment by patronizing it to improve their health.

Responding, Chief Medical Director, BSUTH, Prof. Orkuga Malu thanked the Agbami Partners for citing the project in the state stressing that the clinic would help in combating rising cases of TB in the state.