“DEADLIER THAN COVID-19, YOU CAN ACCESS FREE TB TEST & TREATMENT IN CENTRES ACROSS BENUE,” HEALTH EXPERTS ADVISE.
Anyone in Benue State who experiences any kind of persistent cough, especially one that lingers up to two weeks or more, should endeavour to access free tuberculosis (TB) test available in 28 gene Xpert test centres and 155 Microscopy sites in Benue State.
This was the clarion call by health officers of the Eunice Spring of Life Foundation (ESLF) and the Benue State Ministry of Health during the Radio Benue discussion programme, “Health Watch”, on Thursday that dwelt on the TB disease, its symptoms, where and how to access free test and treatment in the State.
Speaking, Programme Officer Health of ESLF, Mr. Dooyum Orkar, and the Programme Officer Health II, Ms Faith Ikuba, both called on infected persons to help curb the TB scourge by getting tested and treated free of charge.
Mr. Orkar pointed out that the Foundation has been carrying out medical outreaches since 2016 which, among other interventions, featured health talks by professionals including talks on TB culminating in presumptive TB cases being referred to relevant health facilities in the State for free testing and treatment.
The radio programme, which held in furtherance of ESLF’s advocacy on tuberculosis, was part of the commemoration of World Tuberculosis Day (WTD) 2020 which was marked last Tuesday 24th March, 2020.
In his contribution, Deputy Director of Public Health at the State Ministry of Health, Dr. Shember-Agela Igbabul, who held that the ESLF Founder and First Lady of Benue State, Dr. Eunice Ortom, as the State TB Champion, is at the forefront of the fight to end the TB scourge in the State.
He expressed appreciation for her unflinching commitment and support enthusing that her sustained support and commitment as well as that of the State government, partners and, indeed, all stakeholders and the people of Benue State, would see to the timely end of TB in Benue State and Nigeria.
Dr. Igbabul, who is also the Programme Manager, Benue State Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme, added that, “of all the infectious diseases ravaging the world including COVID-19, TB ranks as number one killer disease and urged persons with persistent cough lasting for two weeks or more to go to health facilities to access free TB tests as well as free treatment at the GeneXpert and Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) centres located in many health facilities in the State.
Dr Igbabul who assured that people who go for test at the GeneXpert Centre could have their results within 2 hours upon submission of sputum sample, added that DOTS centres exist for free TB treatment in 498 public and private hospitals including Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) and faith-based hospitals across the State.
He pointed out that the 4 centres in Makurdi, are located at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Bishop Murray Medical Centre and the 161 NAF Hospital, Makurdi.
The health expert who explained that whereas 16 LGAs were currently served by geneXpert centres, 7 LGAs were yet to have this state-of-the-art diagnostic facility namely Ado, Apa, Agatu, Ohimini, Obi, Ogbadibo and Guma. He noted that the State TB Champion, Dr Eunice Ortom, is working with the State Government and other stakeholders to address this and other gaps in the programme.
In the interim, Dr. Igbabul said, samples from patients presented in facilities in the 7 LGAs without geneXpert services are taken at no cost to the diagnostic facilities and results returned for action. He encouraged all persons with TB symptoms to hurry and go for TB test.
On his part, the Deputy Programme Manager, State Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme, Dr. Gabriel Anefu, who outlined certain TB pre-disposing factors as overcrowding, poor ventilation, other concomitant illnesses that reduce one’s immunity like HIV/AIDS, Diabetes, chronic malnutrition and alcoholism.
Dr. Anefu explained that Pulmonary TB, which is the infectious form of the disease, is characterised by such symptoms as cough, fever, difficulty in breathing, weight loss, general body weakness, loss of appetite and night sweat among others.
Meanwhile, the direct line to call for FREE TB CARE is 08002255282.
The theme for this year’s Word Tuberculosis Day, which ESLF was actively involved in is, “IT’S TIME TO END TB IN NIGERIA” and the slogan is: “CHECK THAT COUGH, TIME NO DEY!”
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