Tuberculosis test, treatment are free in Nigeria – NTBLCP
The Director and National Coordinator, National Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer, and Leprosy Control Programme, Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike, has reiterated that Tuberculosis test and treatment are free in Nigeria.
He said, “Anyone coughing for two weeks or more should call 3340 for a free TB test.
“Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria that spreads from person to person through microscopic droplets released into the air.
“This can happen when someone with an active form of tuberculosis coughs, speaks, sneezes, spits, laughs or sings. Although Tuberculosis is contagious, it’s not easy to catch.
“Anyone coughing up blood or mucus, chest pain, or pain while breathing, or unintentional weight loss, night sweat and chills, among others, not to hesitate to call the number 3340.
“Spread the word and save lives to end TB in the country, persons with active TB disease in their lungs could spread it through the air.
“what I mean by active is that the TB germs are multiplying and spreading in the body. If you’re in close contact with someone who has it, you can be infected.
“That’s why doctors advise those who have active TB disease to stay home and away from other people as much as possible until they’re no longer infectious.
“If you have TB germs in your body but they haven’t become active, you have what doctors call latent TB.
“You can’t spread the disease to others but your doctor may still recommend that you take medications to keep the germs from becoming active.”
The NTBLCP national coordinator also said that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), through the STOP TB Partnership, donated new tools for the diagnosis and treatment of TB in the country.
He said the tools were recent innovations to support the country in closing the gap in missing tuberculosis and drugresistant cases and help the country in the treatment of Latent TB infection.
He said, “Nigeria is one of the six countries selected to benefit from the introducing New Tools Project (iNTP), a global initiative to increase access to new, high quality diagnostics and treatment for tuberculosis in high TB burden countries.”
He added that the 3.3 million dollar iNTP tools package for Nigeria includes 38 WHO recommended rapid molecular Truenat diagnostic systems, adapted for tropical environments and used in lower level health facilities.
Others were 10 high tech Ultraportable digital X-ray systems with Computer Aided Detection software (CAD)/Artificial Intelligence (AI) for TB screening and TB preventive medicines to protect and prevent the progression of the disease in 21,000 adults and children.
Anyaike said the new tools would be distributed to 18 states in the country, including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina.
Other states are Bauchi, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Anambra, Imo, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Rivers.
Temitope/NAN
