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Fed Govt takes advocacy on TB to Abuja community
By Moses Emorinken, Abuja
As part of efforts to ensure that Nigerians are aware of the deadly Tuberculosis (TB) disease, especially the fact that it is curable, and treatment and test free, the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP) of the Federal Ministry of Health held a medical outreach programme in Lugbe Community of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The outreach was to commemorate this year’s World Tuberculosis Day, whose theme was “The Clock is ticking,” and slogan – “That Cough Fit be Tuberculosis, not COVID-19, check am oh.”
The Chairman of this year’s Tuberculosis Day Committee, Dr Ayodele Awe, said: “We are here to increase awareness of TB. No one needs to die from TB. We are here to tell everyone about the signs and symptoms of TB. Any cough for two weeks is suspected to be TB.
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“We have provided the equipment to check anyone that is coughing. The test is free. You do not need to go to the hospital to check, we have brought the doctors to you.”
The Head of Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilisation of NTBLCP, Mrs Itohowo Uko, added: “We have been able to sensitise the community to the simple signs of tuberculosis and the need for them to go for a test.
“With what we have done, and the responses received, we believe that more people will do the right thing whenever they have a cough or know someone that has a cough that has lasted two weeks or more.”
