Tuberculosis: NGO Seeks Govt’s Assistance

The Civil Society for the Eradication of Tuberculosis in Nigeria has appealed to states and the federal government to always ensure that tuberculosis patients got access to the Directly Observed Treatment short course (DOTs) Centres, as recommended by the World Health Organisation  (WHO)  for the treatment of the illness.

Members, National stirring committee of TB Network Nigeria, Uloma Gift Akoma made the call Wednesday while marking the World TB Day in Rivers State.

She explained that the DOTs Centres were for the permanent treatment of TB patients whose treatment lats for eight months.

Akoma said the Civil Society for the Eradication of Tuberculosis in Nigeria was ready to partner and cooperate with the various governments to eradicate and reduce the incidence of the disease in Nigeria, stating that TB is a disease of the poor who live in congested places.

According to her, “the organisation wants the Rivers State Government to assist by providing logistics that would help the group get to the grassroots where the poor people live and educate them on the causes of TB and how it could be treated.”

She, however, dismissed the belief that TB is casued by “juju,” explaining that TB is infectious and spreads through the air when infected people cough, spit, talk or sneeze.

According to him, “if the illness is left untreated, the person with TB can infect between 10 and 15 persons every year.”

Also speaking, the state focal person, Mr. Messiah Muzan said the World TB Day is set aside to eradicate the public that tuberculosis is real  and it kills.

Muzan advised Rivers people to take advantage of the DOTs Centres in the 23 Local Government Areas which are designed for TB diagnosis and treatment, and said treatment is free.