The Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA) has urged parents and stakeholders
to increase investment to ramp up the fight against Tuberculosis (TB).
Dr Osagie Igbinigie, the Tuberculosis Programme Manager, Edo Ministry of Health, made the call at an event to mark the 2022 World Tuberculosis Day
in Benin on Thursday.
World Tuberculosis Day is a global initiative annually celebrated on March 24 to build public awareness on the global epidemic of tuberculosis and efforts to eliminate the disease.
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It has “Invest to End TB, Save Lives” as its theme for 2022.
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
The bacteria usually attacks the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain.
The EDSPHCDA programme manager, who stressed the need for increased investment to ramp up the TB fight, said “we
want to appeal to medical practitioners to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences
of TB.”
According to him, the country has the largest number of TB cases in Africa and the 6th largest in the world.
Earlier, Mrs Irene Uabor, the Health Education Officer, EDSPHCDA, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that TB
can be prevented if detected on time.
She said “the best way to prevent TB is early detection; and for those diagnosed with the disease to religiously take
their medications.
“And two weeks after commencing treatment, TB patients cannot transmit the disease to others.
“People should cover their mouth and nose with clean handkerchief when they cough or sneeze. If this is not available, they should use their flex elbow.
“We should not stigmatise those with TB as it can make them not seek help for the ailment. We should encourage them”, she said.
Uabor noted that test and treatment for TB is free of charge at designated centres.
Meanwhile, the Edo Governor, Godwin Obaseki, had reiterated the importance of adequate and sustainable funding
for research to combat the spread of infectious diseases such as TB. (NAN)
