…carry out mass screening, free testing
By Precious Oham, Udesinanna Stephen
People of Ekiti State have been advised to patronize health facilities closest to them to know their TB status.
This is the focus of a sensitization walk in Ado-Ekiti, organised by Ekiti State Tuberculosis, Leprosy & BU control programme and partners to commemorate the 2023 World Tuberculosis Day, which is observed every year on March 24 with theme: “Yes! We can end TB”.
During the walk, experts took time to educate the people on causes and prevention TB and leprosy as well as treatment patterns designed by government.
Addressing newsmen during the show, the Executive Secretary, Ekiti State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Ayodele Seluwa said that there is over 85% cure rate of Tuberculosis cases in the state.
According to Seluwa: “We have a cure rate of over 85% in Ekiti state, we have little defaulter rate and cases of death is very low in Ekiti state because we dictate it early and conduct investigation and treatments.
“We use this day to create awareness for this particular disease and to provide solution to the spread of tuberculosis.”
He called on partners and Stakeholders to finance TB programmes, while commending the state Governor, Biodun Oyebanji for his support against TB.
Speaking with the State Tuberculosis Programme Manager, Orojo Adebayo, he noted that the key message for the World TB day is to end TB in Ekiti state by going into communities to dictate the disease and place treatment.
“The key message for the World TB day is that we are moving towards ending TB in Ekiti state by going into communities, all those missing cases in our communities must be dictated and placed on treatments.
He also said that Ado Local Government has the highest TB cases in Ekiti state which makes the LGA a focus for their campaign.
“There is an increase of drug resistance TB and that is why we need to put strategies to handle this. We want to do a work and go to the Correctional Centre to dictate the sickness and place them on treatment.
“Ekiti State government is trying, all health workers are paid and their have been co-operation from partners and Community Based Organizations.”
Also speaking, the Technical Officer of ART HIV/TB in Ekiti State, Dr. Odu Yewande said that cough that last for 2 weeks, sweat, fever are part of the symptoms of the disease while advising residents of the state with symptoms to come out and get tested.
