TB: 1,472 Persons Treated In Akwa Ibom Between April -June

UYO

A total of 1,472 persons have been diagnosed and treated of Tuberculosis (TB) by the Akwa Ibom Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (STBLCP), between April and June, representing 47.7 per cent of the targeted 3,085.  

The programme manager, STBLCP, Dr Bassey Akpan,  who revealed this at the Orientation  State Tuberculosis   and  Leprosy  Focal Persons  and  Laboratory  Scientists  to mark theNational  Free TB Testing Week, said although the target  had not been made, a significant effort was recorded and to improve upon that towards the  eradication of TB in the state. 

He explained that the meeting sought   to re-orientate and familiarize the TBLC focal persons on efficient, standard and acceptable testing. 

Akpan hinted that the one week testing exercise takes place at selected health facilities in communities where there were high concentration of TB cases.  

The free testing exercise, according to him, takes place in Uruan, Etinan, Oron, and Eket local government areas.

He added that 14 Genexpert machines were available in 10 general hospitals of the state for TB testing.

The director  of Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Dr Etop Antia, who declared open the orientation implored  the tuberculosis  and  leprosy focal person ,and  laboratory scientists to explore and adopt a strategy for case finding  towards to get more persons for testing , treatment and follow   up  for total cure of the disease.

He directed that the testing should be extended to schools and churches as TB was prevalent among children, while calling on communities to avail themselves of the opportunity to get free testing and treatment on TB.

Mr Bassey Nsa, state coordinator, Breakthrough Action Nigeria (BA-N), pointed out that to tackle the problem of low testing and treatment in TB behavior change concept should be adopted to create awareness in communities for increased case finding.   

Giving the concept of the National TB Testing Week, MrsPasculine Edim, deputy state director, BA-N said theprogramme   was designed   to change the narrative of TB burden in Nigeria.

According to her, the ‘Check  Am O’ national multi-media campaign was aimed at creating awareness and to be  carried out every week of August  to complement the  yearly World TB Day towards intensive mobilization on TB testing.

The quality assurance officer, STBLCP, Mr Bernedict Etukwho spoke on the “Role of Laboratory Personnel in TB Control in  Nigeria,” corroborated that  that laboratory scientists have vital role to play in the campaign against TB in the state.

In getting an accurate result, he stressed that there was the needto improve on universal testing to ascertain the status of person, whether positive or negative for treatment.  

He emphasized that the need for proper documentation during testing as wrong or erroneous testing  do not augur well in  the testing and control of   tuberculosis.

Dr Temi Dayo of KNCV TB    Foundation Nigeria stated that strengthening  the capacity of service providers in TB campaign was imperative to control the spread of the disease in which every one person affected would invariably infect 15 persons within the environment in a year.

Speaking on case study, experiences and challenges in the field, the laboratory scientists complained of issues of persons refusing to avail themselves, family, give sputum or faces and take drugs as necessary.