WTBD Article

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EHAI SUPPORTS ONDO STATE FOR WORLD TB DAY 2013

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The world TB day which is on the 24^th of March every year commemorates the day in 1882 when Dr Robert Koch astounded the scientific community by announcing that he had discovered the cause of tuberculosis: the TB bacillus. This day affords an opportunity to raise awareness about the burden of tuberculosis (TB) worldwide and the status of TB prevention and control efforts.

In 1993, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Tuberculosis (TB) a global emergency. And today, it remains one of the world’s major causes of illness and death. TB is both preventable and curable.

One third of the world’s population: two billion people carry the TB bacteria.Nigeria ranks 10^th among the 22 high burden TB countries in the world.WHO estimates that 210,000 new cases of all forms of TB occurred in the country in 2010. This is equivalent to 133/100,000 population. The main goal of Nigeria’s TB program is to halve the TB prevalence and death rates by 2015.

In view of this, EHAIsupported the Ondo State Ministry of Health in a TB awareness campaign in Emure-Ile community, Owo LGA of the state. The people of Emure-Ile community, both young and old were sensitized on the prevention of the spread of TB in the community. They were also encouraged to visit health care providers for check-up and treatment whenever faced with any health issue. This activity was carried out through the KIDS &TEENS RESOURCE CENTER, an NGO committed to the awareness and campaign against the spread of TB especially young people through advocacy, communication and social mobilization.A total of about 176 people which included about 50 school children were mobilised for this campaign. This program featured talk shows, lectures as well as drama and question and answer sessions. This was preceded by a “white handkerchief” rally which was flagged off by a representative of the State Ministry of Health (SMOH) – Dr A.V. Adelusi (Deputy Director PHC). The white handkerchiefs which were carried and distributed by the participants bore TB messages.

In a brief lecture, Dr Adelusi told the participants to take advantage of the free treatment of HIV&TB in the state. He advised them on promoting healthy practices to curb the further spread of diseases, especially TB. These include covering of ones mouth with a clean handkerchief when coughing or when the person next to you is; making sure that children are properly vaccinated, and ensure they are always in properly ventilated places.

The objectives of the campaign were in line with the overall world TB day campaign objectives which are:

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To educate the targeted community on the symptoms and treatment of TB.