11 Oct Nigeria: Janna Health Foundation conducts active screening for TB among internally displaced persons in Numan
[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_separator type=”normal” thickness=”2″ up=”20″ down=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_gallery type=”nivo” interval=”3″ images=”2306,2305,2304″ img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]Adamawa is one of the 37 States of Nigeria and occupies an area of 42,000 km2 with an estimated population of 4,1 million (projected from the 2006 National Census). The State is divided into 21 semi-autonomous Local Government Areas (LGAs) and has a Tuberculosis Control Programme established in 2002 under the Public Health Department in the Ministry of Health. As a result of the Boko Haram insurgency compounded by the protracted communal clashes, the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) has continued to increase.
Janna Health Foundation (JHF) is one of the Community Based Organizations working on Tuberculosis and HIV in Adamawa State since 2012. The organization is currently implementing TB REACH and a Challenge Facility for Civil Society Round 8 projects which focus on active TB and HIV case findings in IDP camps, Nomadic schools and their host communities in 16 LGAs in the Northern and Central Senatorial Zones of the State.
A communal crisis in Numan LGA in September 2018 led to the displacement of 4 communities, which resulted in the influx of IDPs into Numan, the LGAs capital. In line with the mandate of JHF and in collaboration with the LGA TB Supervisor who provided sputum cups and the Adamawa State Agency for Control of AIDS (SACA) who provided HIV Test kits, a TB (and HIV) screening station was established in the IDP camp on September 15th.
The JHF volunteers and staff held a series of activities to create awareness on TB and HIV in the IDP camp and host communities. Active screening for TB and HIV was conducted to identify people with presumptive TB, and sputum samples were collected and transported for Xpert diagnosis. Children under 5 years old were transported to the General Hospital of Numan for TB diagnosis. All presumptive TB cases were also screened for HIV and diagnosed TB and HIV+ cases were linked to treatment, care and support centers.
The prompt response of JHF to the health needs of the IDPs was recognized by the LGA officials, the World Food Programme, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the Numan Traditional Council and the Security Organizations who were also present in the area.
A total of 323 people were screened for TB and HIV amongst which 53 presumptive TB cases were identified. Sputum samples were collected and transported to Xpert site from 49 presumptive TB cases. 3 adults with TB and 2 HIV cases were detected and linked to care.
One of the problems that the intervention faced was the shortage of HIV test kits and lack of TB/HIV IEC material. JHF had to liaise with the State TB Programme and the Adamawa State Agency for Control of AIDS for the provision of these materials for the intervention.
Furthermore, it was identified that the collaboration between operating government and non-government organizations in the IDP camp and host communities is weak. A committee made up of all implementers should be established to improve coordination of activities.
JHF has continued to improve its coverage of IDPs with TB and HIV services in Adamawa State through collaboration with humanitarian partners who share the same objectives. JHF is committed to bridging the gaps in TB case finding especially among key populations in North Eastern Nigeria. Ending TB remains an important commitment for the organization.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]