As part of efforts to reach zero Tuberculosis deaths and reduce the burden as well as impacts of the disease on Nigerians, a non-governmental organisation, BreakThrough Action Nigeria, BA-N has sensitized residents of Akinyele Local Government area of Oyo state on tuberculosis prevention.
The sensitization and awareness campaign is part of a project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in collaboration with the Oyo state government.
Members of the team, Ayodeji Oladimeji and Fasanmade Jesudemilade who are postgraduate students from the Department of Health Promotion and Education at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, said the sensitization campaign is to raise awareness of the disease, its symptoms and to dispel myths about TB.
“We are doing this for people to know about the presence of Tuberculosis in this local government and let them know there is an organisation that caters to that at zero cost.”
“We also want to raise awareness about the disease, reduce stigmatization and to let them know that there is a readily available centre they can walk into and receive treatment.”
Mr Oladimeji said residents of the local government and its environs can visit the direct observational therapy centre in Akinyele Local Government where they can get tested for TB, receive treatment and medications for free.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a communicable disease that usually affects the lungs. It is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and is mostly airborne. TB can be transmitted when individuals inhale the droplets that contain the organisms expelled into the air by infected TB patients.
The National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP) estimated that a person with active pulmonary TB disease will infect an average of 10 to 15 persons every year.
Mr Oladimeji advised people to look out for the symptoms of TB, some of which include; Weight loss, cough beyond two weeks, cough with blood, night sweats and fever.
“Once the symptoms are discovered, the person should visit the centre where they will be registered, get tested and receive treatment and within six months the disease is cured.”
He explained that the team had carried out school outreaches to educate students about TB and encourage them to share what they’ve learnt with their parents.
“For school outreach, we work with students and they can share the knowledge imparted to them with their parents and raise community awareness on the signs and symptoms of TB”.
“As of 2018, tuberculosis detection rates in Nigeria stood at 24% making it one of the lowest case finding countries in the world. This is why sensitization efforts like this are important to reducing the burden, socioeconomic impact and transmission of Tuberculosis.”
Report by John Adio for IbadanCity ANNOUNCER
