World Health Organisation ( WHO) has decried high prevalence rate of tuberculosis in Nigeria, saying the country is rated 6th in the world and 1st im Africa.
National Professional Officer, Tuberculosis, WHO, South-East, Enugu, Dr. Ufuoma Aduh disclosed that in a speech he delivered on Tuesday, during the launch of the 2024 World Tuberculosis Day organised by the Enugu State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the State Tuberculosis Buruli Ulcer and Leprosy Control Programme and held at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH) Park Lane, Enugu.
He said the campaign against the spread of tuberculosis is to create an awareness and put to an end spread of the disease.
Pix- Dr Aduh of WHO
Dr. Aduh said, Tuberculosis is curable and preventable
” Tuberculosis is still a problem The world had all it takes to end it through community interventions, that’s why we are calling all people to play a role to end tuberculosis, especially as WHO is playing a globally role to end it by providing technical supports, ” he said.
Dr Aduh said WHO has been supporting Enugu state and would mobilize more grants to support the State. He added that in the next few months mobile road show would be rolled out to sensitize communities on the dangers of Tuberculosis and need to get treated.
“We are not finding new cases of Tuberclosis in Enugu but more work needed to be done to end it and if we failed to do it, it will continue to ravage and make people poor and cause ill health,” he said.
Pix-Mrs Mbah’s representative, Dr Uzoechina
In her speech, Wife of Enugu State Governor, Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah,who was represented by the Special Adviser on Gender, Dr Uzoamaka Okenwa -Uzoechina, said she was committed to ending spread of Tuberclosis in Enugu State and would continue to support all efforts to achieve it.
She said ,”Tuberculosis was the single most crucial killer disease globally, affecting all ages and genders.
“In 2018 global TB ranking, Nigeria was first in Africa among countries with the highest TB burden and ranked 4th among countries with the majority of missing TB cases globally.
“Enugu State has over 4,955 missing Tuberculosis cases that are yet to be detected in the community due to specific health system challenges.
“So, to end Tuberclosis in the state, I encourage you to continue with more active case searches in the communities.
“This will help us to identify TB cases and place them on treatment to reduce disease spread.”
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pix- CAN Chairman, Enugu, Rev Emmanuel Ede
Pix- Commissioner for Health,Associate Prof Ikechukwu Obi
In a remark, the Commissioner for Health, Associate Professor Emmanuel Ikechukwu Obi, said the flag off was part of activities to mark 2024 World Tuberclosis Day.
He said Tuberculosis is detected when a chronic cough usually lasts for two weeks or more and defies treatment.
He advised patients who tested positive of tuberculosis to visit their healthcare facility for further treatment.
“So we are calling on the general public to avail themselves of the opportunity to be screened. We have over 596 facilities in Enugu State giving out TB treatment.
“Government is joining hands with all our partners to eliminate Tuberclosis in Enugu State,” he said.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Programme Manager, Tuberclosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Programme, Enugu State, Dr Chidiebere Odo, said the awareness was important because of the high burden Tuberclosis was creating in the society.
According to her, available statistics showed that Enugu had monthly average of over 300 cases of active Tuberclosis cases.
“So we are here to create awareness to the public to know about Tuberclosis and see how we can end Tuberclosis .
“Its elimination is not something an individual can do but can be eradicated through collective efforts.
“We are here as ambassadors and representatives, so go and spread the news about TB to people on how to know the symptoms to look out for and direct them where they can have access to treatment.
“In Enugu State, we have over 500 facilities spread across 17 Council Areas of the state where these services are being done,” she said.
World Tuberclosis Day is a day set aside by the United Nations to create an opportunity to renew commitment, inspire and take action to end Tuberclosis . The 2024 theme is “Yes! We can end Tuberclosis “.
Goodwill messages were delivered by CARITAS,Nigeria, Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN), and REDAid.
The State partners included, the WHO, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) and Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH), German Leprosy and Tuberculosis Relief Association (GLRA) and CARITAS Catholic Foundation of Nigeria..
Author: Maureen Ikpeama
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