The National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme, (NTBLCP), says explorative research has shown that the major factor responsible for the increasing number of people with TB is low TB case finding due to low awareness of the disease.
This is contained in a statement issued by The Deputy Project Director for TB, Breakthrough Action Nigeria, Dr Bolatito Ayenigba ahead of the first edition of the National TB Testing Week to be held between 1st and 7th of August, 2022.
The statement explains that Nigeria has been ranked sixth among the 30 high-burden countries in the world and first in Africa in terms of the number of people with TB.
It notes that as part of a measure to change the tuberculosis narrative in Nigeria, the NTBLCP collaborated with partners to design various responses to address the challenge.
The statement highlights a national multi-media campaign tagged “Check Am O campaign”; the development of the national Tuberculosis Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilisation (ACSM) guidelines; the engagement of religious leaders through the co-design of TB messages; and periodic training of media personnel as some of the measures put in place.
“The use of social media, including engagement of the Nigerian First Lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari and other states’ First Ladies as the TB Ambassador and TB Champions, respectively”. It notes
It further explains that all the efforts were contributing to improving Nigerians’ understanding of TB and increasing the number of TB cases diagnosed and put on treatment.
PR/Nafiu Busari
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