By Ishaq Haruna Hardawa
The Bauchi State government with support from donor partners have unveiled 13 portable Tuberculosis testing digital X ray machines aimed to accelerate active case findings and treatment across the state.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, the State Commissioner of Health Dr Sani Muhammad Dambam said the machines would greatly assist the state in it’s efforts to control Tuberculosis.
Dr Sani Dambam represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Dauda Yakubu Mahmoud explained that mechanisms have been put in place to ensure that the machines are used optimally.
He revealed that Bauchi is the first state in the entire country to acquire the Portable digital X ray machines.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman State Agency for the Control of HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Malaria, BACATMA Dr Adamu Sambo said the present administration is committed to eradicating Tuberculosis across the state.
Dr Adamu Sambo who disclosed that all the 13 Portable digital X ray machines are embedded with artificial intelligence technology to interpret results, assured to handle them with utmost care for the benefits of generality of people in the state.
Earlier, the Director Tuberculosis Control, BACATMA Alhaji Suleiman Danladi said the machines would be used simultaneously in communities and Hospitals with high TB burden, adding that Governor Bala Mohammed has approved the Purchase of Cartridges for the molecular Machines to further scale up TB case findings in the state.
In a good will message the representative of knowledge Network for Disease Control and Vigilance KNCV Nigeria Dr Simon Mafwalal appreciate the people of Bauchi State for creating an enabling environment to NGOs, to provide life serving services to people in TB control.
Dr Simon Mafwalal said KNCV has move from perceived case finding to active case finding which is an advance process for better results.
He said KNCV has been working in the state since 2015, screening for TB through the use of advance Technology.
Out of the 13 Portable digital X ray machines purchased, 10 were procured by Knowledge Network for Disease Control and Vigilance KNCV, 2 from Society for Family Health and 1 by Georgetown Global Health Nigeria GGHN in Collaboration with the State Government.