Experts Set Target For TB Eradication

The Rivers State Ministry
of Health is collaborating with other health agencies to ensure that Tuberculosis (TB) is no longer a health issue by 2050.
The state control officer of Tuberculosis and Leprosy, Dr Kingsley Aleruchi, disclosed this when he and the state planning committee, World Tuberculosis Day, paid a courtesy visit to the General Manager, Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, publishers of The Tide newspapers, Mr Celestine Ogolo, in his office.
Dr Aleruchi said if all stakeholders played their part, TB prevalence would be reduced to its bearest minimum.
He said that the purpose of the visit was to intimate the corporation about the World Tuberculosis Day celebration expected to hold March 24, 2014 and to raise public awarenesss on the disease.
He said the TB Day celebration would be used to enlighten the public on the disease, its cure as well as treatment centre.
The TB Control Officer said TB is treatable and curable if diagnosed early and advised the public to note that “the cough that has lasted for two weeks or more needs to be taken to the hospital for proper diagnosis and treatment.”
In his speech, a representative of World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Michael Jose, stated that every year, nine million people are infected with TB, but lamented that three million of the infected persons are not receiving treatment.
He also said that Akinima in Ahoada West Local Government Area has been chosen to host this year’s event and explained that the choice of Akinima was because it was one of only three local government areas of the state that had no TB diagnostic laboratory.
He said, “we will ensure that facilities to diagnose TB are set up in all LGAs of the state, because we want to find all the cases and put them on a treatment regime.”
Also speaking, Director, Disease Control, Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board, Dr Roland Obed-Whyte, dispelled the myth that co-persistent cough was a result of witchcraft or charms and said this year’s theme, ‘Find, Treat and Cure’, was aimed at ensuring that the indices for TB prevalence are reduced.
Responding, the GM of RSNC, Mr Celestine Ogolo promised that the corporation would partner with the TB control office in the state to inform and sensitise the people as well as publicise the activities of the office.

Tonye Nria-Dappa