The federal government has taken pertinent steps including deployment of health officers, resources and strategies to all states of the country to investigate, test and treat tuberculosis patients for free.
According to the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTLCP), one of the major challenges hindering the eradication of tuberculosis in Nigeria is identified low case finding and contact tracing.
The Programme National Coordinator, Dr Adebola Lawanson, made the disclosure at the review meeting organised by Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria and the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme in Lagos.
The challenges had persuaded the Federal Ministry of Health to begin massive deployment of personnel and material to confront the menace of tuberculosis, Lawanson said.
She added that “The review of the health situation is to enable stakeholders at all levels and partners in the multi-resistant tuberculosis programme to interact and review the progress so far, identify key implementation challenges and possible solutions to tuberculosis."
Patient who suffer from tuberculosis can easily infect another person once there is contact, this underscore the need for every tuberculosis patient to be tested and treated in good time.
“People who are experiencing nonstop coughing for two weeks or more, experiencing weight loss, night sweat and fever can be tested with instruments and can get their results within two hours.
“In 2018, we shall continue with the contact tracing by collaborating with our partners, who provided a mobile truck known as “Wellness on Wheels Approach” for the exercise.
“The trucks are equipped with essential machines and the main purpose is to take it to individuals houses in every community and educate them on issues of tuberculosis,” she added.
The Associate Director, Global Fund Programme of the institute, Dr Aderonke Agbaje, said the review was an opportunity for key stakeholders from different states to provide solutions to the identified challenges hindering tuberculosis eradication.
Agbaje said over 120 people are currently on the programme, which is in collaboration with the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Programme. Adding that the significance of case finding is that every tuberculosis patient not placed on treatment will infect 10 people, which will also increase the spread of the disease.
