…Diagnosis, Treatment free”
Anthonia Duru
The First lady of Kwara State Dr. Mrs. Olufolake Abdulrazaq has charged stakeholders in the health sector to intensify effort towards stopping the spread of Tuberculosis (TB) and other chronic diseases. She gave the charge at during a video broadcast to commemorate the 2020 world TB day.
TB is among Nigeria’s top priorities and the country is one of the 14 countries that are listed in all three of the World Health Organisation (WHO) global list of high burden countries for TB, TB/HIV and multi-drug resistant (MDR)- Tuberculosis.-
Kwara state contribute significantly to the burden of TB in Nigeria with case notification of 35% of her annual target and 65% missing cases in 2018. These cases tend to have a multiplying effect on the disease burden among children as one smear positive case have the probability of infecting additional 15-20 persons over the year.
Mrs. Olufolake Abdulrazaq also commended the Kwara TB team for their resilient effort over the years and urge them to do more towards integrating TB services and maternal and child care as new cases of babies having TB infection is worrisome.
It would be recalled that earlier in the year the first lady of Nigeria, Mrs Aisha Buhari named Mrs Olufolake Abdulrazaq Kwara TB champion. This development comes in recognition of the effort of the Kwara State First Lady on the Advocacy/war against Tuberculosis in the state.
“It is my duty as the TB champion of the state to ensure effective diagnosis and treatment of TB in the state. Anyone who is feeling ill is enjoined to visit the state TB centre where diagnosis and treatment are free”.
“When you notice symptoms such as weight loss, night sweats and fever or any cough that has persisted for more than two weeks are advised to be reported to the State TB centre immediately”.
