Nigeria remains among the high-burden countries for Tuberculosis globally, the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme (NTBLCP) has said.
Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike, National Coordinator, NTBLCP, made this known while speaking on activities lined up for World Tuberculosis Day 2023 with the theme: “Yes! We can end TB”.
World TB day is celebrated every year on March 24 to inspire hope and encourage high-level leadership, increased investments, faster uptake of new WHO recommendations, adoption of innovations, accelerated action, and multisectoral collaboration to combat the TB epidemic.
Anyaike said there is a need for continuous awareness towards putting an end to preventable and curable diseases like tuberculosis and to address the needle deaths and infirmities in the country.
TB, he said, remains a huge burden in the country which can be prevented, diagnosed, treated, and cured.
Anyaike called on media practitioners to extend the word ‘TB’ to ‘tuberculosis’, noting that most Nigerians were unaware of the enormous burden of the disease and its symptoms.
Also speaking, Dr. Bethrand Odume Executive Director, KNCV Nigeria, said:” teachers play a crucial role in educating the community about Tuberculosis and its prevention.
“We plan to organize training sessions for teachers in schools to increase their knowledge about Tuberculosis and to help them educate their students,” he said.
Odume, who is also the Chairperson of the 2023 National World Tuberculosis Day Planning Committee, said that there would be a Road Show; Taking off from the Wuse Market on March 22.
The chairperson also said outreaches are being planned for the six area councils to increase the awareness of the public about Tuberculosis, promote early diagnosis, and encourage people to seek treatment.
A Ministerial news conference, the chairperson said, will be held on March 24.
He said that similar activities would also be supported across the 36 states of the federation.
“This year, in the 36 states and FCT, the Tuberculosis Programme working with the implementing partners will be supporting a special TB Testing week” to drive daily community active TB case-finding activities.
“By working together, we can make progress in the fight against tuberculosis and help to create a Nigeria free of Tuberculosis,” he said.
TB, a disease caused by a bacterium, often affects the lungs and is identified as the number one infectious killer disease in the world and also among the top 10 causes of death worldwide.
It is spread from person to person through the air. When people with TB cough, sneeze, or spit, they propel the TB germs into the air. A person needs to inhale only a few of these germs to become infected.
