Tuberculosis cases have continued to be on the increase in Nigeria, virtually on monthly basis since the past five years, a medical expert and president, Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH), Professor Oladapo Ladipo has disclosed.

 

Disclosing this in Ibadan on Friday at a press conference heralding the 25th anniversary celebration of ARFH, Professor Ladipo emphasized the urgent need to mobilize more resources to assist all tiers of government in Nigeria to tackle the problem of tuberculosis.

 

According to the professor, ARFH, in partnership with the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), had treated a total of 475,935 TB patients in Nigeria between 2009 and 2013.  In addition, a total of 4,400 Community Volunteers were trained by ARFH during the period under review, to identify presumptive tuberculosis cases and refer them to Directly Observed Therapy (DOTS) clinics, to access treatment.

 

Furthermore, he said, ARFH has already enhanced the capacity of 420 community- based organizations to create awareness about tuberculosis, its treatment, care and other services.

 

While noting that tuberculosis is a major tropical problem that trailed the emergence of HIV and AIDS, Professor Ladipo explained that its symptoms include chronic cough or persistent weight loss and urged anybody with the symptoms to visit the nearest DOTS clinic where TB drugs are being provided free of charge.

 

Commenting on healthcare delivery in Nigeria generally, the medical expert counselled that appropriate incentives should be given to health workers posted to rural areas. He charged communities to be involved by ensuring that the working environment in the rural areas is improved upon to make the areas more conducive.

 

By Dele Ogunyemi,

Dailytrust