TB: Nigeria ranks sixth most affected country

NIGERIA ranks number one in Africa and the sixth in the world in terms of people living with tuberculosis.

  Anambra Health Commission, Dr Vincent Okpala, who was represented by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Dr John Ndibe,

  The launch attracted relevant health stakeholders, tuberculosis control vanguards, TB partners among others.

  Tuberculosis is one of the top 10 causes of death globally. According to WHO, 2018 alone, 10million people worldwide were infected with TB and an estimated 1.5 million people died from the disease.

  The Commissioner for Health expressed joy to the TB partners that were in the state for the awareness campaign which he said, was vital in eradicating the scourage of the disease in Anambra State.

  He noted that Governor Willie Obiano was very passionate about the healthy living of people in Anambra and would continue to support the campaign to succeed in the state.

  Also, he said there was a state-of-the-art facility tuberculosis centre at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku-Awka.

  Anambra State Programme Officer, tuberculosis and Bruli ulcer, Dr Ugochukwu Chukwulobelu said that the aim of the campaign was to create awareness about tuberculosis through TB control vanguards and for people to get diagnosed and receive free treatment noting that tuberculosis is curable if treated early.

  Founder, Action Health Incorporated who trained the vanguard in Anambra State, Dr Uwemedimo Esiet, represented by Dr Tunde Onosanya said that ending tuberculosis by 2030 was among the health targets of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations.