The National Tuberculosis and Leprocy Control Programme has held a medical Outreach to create awareness about tuberculosis in Lugbe Community of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT).
The outreach featured, talks, medical tests, awareness on how to identify TB.
Speaking at the medical outreach, the Chairman 2021 TB Day committee, Dr. Ayodele Awe, said that the outreach was necessary to educate the people at the grassroots about what they need to know about tuberculosis.
He said that Lugbe was chosen considering the pupulation and it’s proximity to the Federal Capital Territory.
The Head, Advocacy and Communication and Social Mobilization, NTBLCP, Itoghowo Uko, said that the awareness outreach is something to be thrilled about.
“Knowledge they say is power, when you give an individual the right information, he or she would be able to take decision on his or her life from an informed position. We have been able to sensitize them on the simple signs of Tuberculosis and the reason they need to go and do a test. We know that COVID-19 has devastated the health system and has been discouraging people from going to the hospital. But, with what we have done today, and the responses we have gotten, we believe that they will do the right thing whenever they have a cough or know someone that has a cough that has lasted two weeks or more,” Uko said.
She also said that the more aware Nigerians are about TB, the sooner the burden will reduce.
A TB survivor, Francis Ekong, who gave an account of TB journey encouraged all Nigerians to go for test if they are coughing continuously.
“The test is free, the treatment is free, the food is free. Everything about tuberculosis is free. All you yto do is to submit yourself,” Ekong said.
He also said that the issue of discrimination of TB patients is real but after the treatment, one is reabsorbed into the society.
While commending the government for choosing his Community, the chief of Lugbe, Usman Nga Kupi, said that he will continue to enlighten his people.
The theme of the 2021 World Tuberculosis Day is ‘The Clock is Ticking’ and Nigeria localised slogan ‘That cough fit be Tuberculosis not COVID, check am o”!!!!
