WORLD TUBERCULOSIS DAY: RESIDENTS URGED TO EMBRACE FREE TB TEST
Tuberculosis has been described as an airborne disease that is curable, thus the need for concerted effort by all to encourage any suspected or infected person to present himself for free screening.
This was made known by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Kayode Oladehinde, while speaking at a symposium organised in commemoration of the 2023 World Tuberculosis Day in Abeokuta, saying, free Tuberculosis (TB) test is being carried out in all government health facilities on a daily basis for anyone who has been coughing for two weeks without any positive outcome.
Speaking on the 2023 theme, "Yes, we can end TB. Be Involved”, Oladehinde said there was the urgent need to invest resources to combat the disease and put an end to the epidemic, noting that ‘’increasing access to prevention and treatment will reduce stigmatisation and discrimination’’.
He said the State Government has extended TB services from 216 sites in 2018 to over 618 facilities in 2022 across the 20 local government areas, adding that free diagnosis for patients were provided through the network of 16 Gene Expert machines sites and seventy microscopy sites spread across the State.
"I want to plead with you to suspect Tuberculosis in anyone who has a cough of two weeks duration or more. All such persons should be encouraged to visit the health facilities for a free test.
"All persons living with or in close contact with a TB patient must be screened. We are all stakeholders in ending the menace of TB. We should not fold our hands to let it fester. Let us join in the crusade by increasing awareness in our various domains until our world is free of this disease," he pointed.
In his remark, a former World Health Organisation Consultant, Dr. Gani Alabi, advised health workers to adopt a patient-centred approach, enjoining them to make nutrition an important part of the package for a TB patient who may be in need of support.
Activities for this year’s commemoration included street walk around Oke-Ilewo axis of Abeokuta and simultaneous community testing across the state.
Femi Onasanya,
Press Officer, Min. of Health.
Post a Comment