The Commissioner for Health in Ogun, Dr Tomi Coker, has expressed concern over rising number of
tuberculosis patients in the state.
tuberculosis patients in the state.
Coker said this at a news conference in Abeokuta on Tuesday as part of activities to mark 2024 World Tuberculosis Day, which has “Yes! We Can End TB” as its theme. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Tuberculosis Day is annually observed on March 24
to raise awareness about the global epidemic of tuberculosis and efforts to eliminate the disease.
The commissioner, therefore, said early detection of the disease is key, as it can be treated and cured using a combination of modern medicines.
She assured the government’s commitment to urgent action toward addressing the situation through increased awareness and education as well as access to quality healthcare services for residents, especially in rural areas.
Coker said that the state government, with support from the Federal Ministry of Health and partners, had been providing free treatment to TB patients across the 20 local government areas through a network of 623 government health centres and selected private and missionary facilities.
She urged residents to report anyone who presents any signs of continuous coughing or other associated symptoms.
She said, “if you or anyone you know has cough lasting two weeks or more with or without sputum, associated weight loss, profuse night sweating, difficulty in breathing, or blood-stained sputum, kindly visit the nearest government health facility for check, as this could be tuberculosis.”
In a separate interview, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Kayode Oladehinde, urged residents to be vigilant and proactive in seeking medical help if they noticed any TB symptoms.
He emphasised the need for good hygiene to prevent the spread of the disease, adding that “with collective efforts, the disease could be eradicated.”(NAN)
