In commemoration of World Tuberculosis Day, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), has called on stakeholders to ensure resources are made available to fight the epidemic as Nigeria is ranked 7th among the high tuberculosis burden countries.
“This call, is particularly crucial for Nigeria, because of the country’s TB status: 407,000 people in Nigeria have TB each year, while the country is ranked 7th among the 30 high TB burden countries and second in Africa with 154,000 people dying each year from TB,” a statement from AHF Advocacy and Marketing Manager Steve Aborisade stated.
He also said that the organisation has indicated readiness, to harness necessary support and partnership to tame the incidences of the disease in Nasarawa State where they held a community sensitisation programme.
He explained that the programme brought both government and notable civil society actors to converge on March 25, to review and adopt a roadmap of action for Keffi local government area of the state.
The choice of Keffi, Nasarawa state, according to AHF Country Program Director, Dr. Echey Ijezie, ‘‘is to respond to the reality of high TB incidence being recorded in the state, by leveraging on AHF’s public engagement speciality to create awareness, educate the people, but importantly getting them to test for both TB and HIV/AIDS”.
Dr. Ijezie is of the opinion that ‘‘It is not difficult to comprehend what it means for so many people to be dying each year from TB.’’
Reacting, Director Primary HealthCare, Keffi Local Government Area (LGA), Alhaji Gambo Ibrahim, appreciates the effort of AHF in coming to Keffi and said the local government will offer the necessary assistance to ensure TB is stamped out totally.
The theme of World TB Day 2019 -‘It’s time’ – puts the accent on the urgency to act on the commitments made by global leaders.
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