NTBLCP solicits partnership with NAN on TB awareness

Awareness
By Justina Auta
Abuja, March 10, 2020 (NAN) The National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP) on Tuesday
solicited the support of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in creating awareness on tuberculosis (TB), as well as how and
where to access treatment.

Mrs Itohowo Uko, the Head of Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilisation and Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Health,
made the call when she led a team of NTBLCP officials on an advocacy visit to NAN Headquaters in Abuja.

She stressed the need to educate the public on the symptoms of TB and where people could get help.

She explained that “anyone coughing for two weeks or more should go to the hospital and get tested for TB.”

Uko added that the World Tuberculosis Day annually observed on March 24 is aimed at creating public awareness
about the global epidemic of tuberculosis and efforts to eliminate the disease.

The 2020 World TB Day has “It is Time” as its theme and “Stop That Cough, Time No Dey” as its slogan.

The deputy director said “we would like the media, particularly News Agency of Nigeria to help us to sensitise the public on TB
because of its wide reach in the country and beyond.

“We want NAN to help us to educate the public and to encourage people to seek prompt medical attention for any cough
that lasts more than two weeks.”

According to her, the public can access free treatment in any health facility, where patients undergo six-months treatment for TB
after being diagnosed.

She announced series of programmes lined up by the programme to mark the 2020 World TB Day, noting that
there would be a media briefing and a community outreach on March 23, as well as free testing and consultation.

She said “our goal is to make every Nigerian know that TB is a public health challenge and needs to be urgently
addressed.’’

Uko added that a toll-free line — 08002255282 — is available for the public to get vital information on the closest health facility
to access healthcare, management and treatment of TB.

She reiterated Federal Government’s commitment toward raising awareness about the devastating health, social and economic
consequences of TB, and to step up efforts to end it.

Alhaji Ibrahim Mammaga, the acting Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of NAN, welcomed the group and pledged to assist in
educating and sensiting the public on TB, its symptoms and where to access treatment.

He said that NAN was ever-ready to educate the public about the disease “because we have the reach, we have offices
nationwide and beyond.”

A World Health Organisation (WHO) report shows that each day, over 4,000 people lose their lives to TB and close to
30,000 people get infected to the preventable and curable disease. (NAN)

JAD/HA
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Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu