…says diagnosis, treatment are free in Ekiti
By Udesinanna Stephen
In respect to the 2024 Children’s Day celebration, the Ekiti State Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme under the Ekiti State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (DPHCDA), has launched its National Tuberculosis Testing Week for Children in Ilupeju-Ijan, Gbonyin Local Government, saying that says diagnosis and treatment of the disease are free in Ekiti.
Speaking with reporters, the State Program Manager, Orojo Joshua Adedayo, explained that the program was executed in collaboration with the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN); Association for Reproductivity and Family Health (ARFH); and the Environmental Development and Family Health Organizations (EDFHO), leveraging the EDFHO’s Children’s Day celebration in the community.
Adedayo noted that, the target is to test children, and those suspected of having TB will be freely treated. “We will test children for TB, and if we find suspected cases, we will take their stool or urine for further assessment. If they are found to have TB, we will take them to Ado-Ekiti yp treat them free of charges,” he said.
According to him, the initiative is a step towards ensuring the health and well-being of children in Ekiti State, and the government’s commitment to providing free diagnosis and treatment, adding that the testing week is expected to reach significant number of children in the community.
ROUNDOFFNEWS gathered that the initiative is sponsored by Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS), the GlobalFund, Association for Reproductivity and Family Health (ARFH), Institute of Human Virology, National Tuberculosis Testing Week for Children, Environmental Development and Family Health Organizations (EDFHO).