Research shows that Nigeria ranks high among the high-burden countries for Tuberculosis and has a low detection rate. It is estimated that there are 460,000 new cases and around 245,000 deaths occur annually. Nigeria is one of the eight countries that accounts for 86 percent of all TB cases in the world.
Understanding this crisis, South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with Association for Reproductive & Family Health-ARFH and the Enugu State Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Unit, is playing its part through The Global Fund Community Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB) project in reducing this epidemic in Enugu state.
The project supports DR-TB patients on their road to recovery. As well as ensures beneficiaries adhere to treatment and don’t miss the Out of Patient Department (OPD) clinic. The initiative also provides on-site training to treatment supporters and executes routine household visits to beneficiaries to ensure adherence.
There are currently 26 beneficiaries on the project. Every month, SSDO’s health officer provided adherence counselling and conducts household visits to beneficiaries. The project also provides monthly transport support to the patients and their treatment supporters.