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Nigeria Tops High TB Burden Chart In Africa
Nigeria has been said to be ranked highest in Tuberculosis (TB) burden in Africa.
Making this known during an event marking the commemoration of the 2020 World Tuberculosis Day (WTD) in Port Harcourt, yesterday, the Commissioner for Health, Prof Princewill Chike said that apart from ranking highest among TB burden nations in Africa, Nigeria has 300,000 TB cases missing in most communities.
“The incidence of TB has remained high, with Nigeria standing at 219 in a 100,000 population. To achieve the 2030 “End TB Target”, more stakeholders’ commitment is needed as the government alone cannot achieve this lofty goal”, he said.
The commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Ndidi Chikanele Utchay, said that in 2019, about 3,728 persons were diagnosed and treated for TB in Rivers State.
She, therefore, urged religious leaders and other stakeholders to get involved in the fight against TB in order to strengthen the collective fight to eradicate TB in the State.
Also speaking, the representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Michael Jose, who stated that TB was discovered 138 years ago by Robert Koch, noted that about 4,000 persons die daily of TB-related diseases.
Jose, who is the National Professional Officer for WHO, said that apart from the 12 approved rapid diagnostic machines for free TB diagnosis provided in Rivers State, religious institutions and other stakeholders should join hands with the government to provide additional 15 more TB diagnostic machines for the state in order to alleviate the health burden on Rivers people.
Earlier in his speech, the Chairman of the occasion, who is the General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries (OPM), Apostle Chinyere Chibuzor, acknowledged the influential role of religious leaders in the fight against TB.
“We, the religious leaders, are major stakeholders with overwhelming influence in our communities. I, therefore, implore you to join in this battle any way you can. A lot needs to be done, if we are to win this war”, he said.
Chibuzor, who was represented by Pastor Isaiah Gogo-Ogute, amongst others, urged religious leaders to provide diagnostic tools, advocate for their congregation to be screened for TB, and grant access to government into their outreach activities to find out missing cases.
Meanwhile, the general overseer of OPM pledged his commitment to purchase a GeneXpert machine in their health facilities to enhance diagnosis of TB in the state.
Also, the Commissioner for Health in Taraba State, Dr Innocent Vakkai, confirmed that Nigeria ranks first with Tuberculosis (TB) burden in Africa and sixth globally.
Vakkai made this known during the World Tuberculosis Day in Jalingo, yesterday.
He said 18 Nigerians die hourly from TB, while 49 develop active TB, seven of which are children, according to the KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation’s report.
He lamented that 4,000 people die of TB daily and 300,000 fall ill from preventable and curable diseases.
“TB remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious killers responsible for the death of, at least, 4,000 people each day and close to 300,000 infections,” he said.
Vakkai said that Taraba State Government had shown impressive support toward ending TB through provision of human resources, good working environment for the state team and partners.
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
