Breakthrough Action Nigeria Reveals Recent Findings On Childhood Tuberculosis
- Mosope Kehinde, Ibadan.
The Breakthrough Action Nigeria says recent findings have shown that the numbers of tuberculosis cases in children are beginning to increase.
The country’s Deputy Project Director for tuberculosis, Dr. Bolatito Aiyenigba disclosed this while addressing newsmen on measures by the Breakthrough Action Nigeria at increasing TB findings in Nigeria.
Dr. Aiyenigba explained that the new findings on childhood tuberculosis and stigmatization of patients are being worked on and would be the next focus of the agency to address the development.
She said BA.N would address childhood tuberculosis through training of teachers and stakeholders on the need to protect and put children who are exposed to adults with TB on preventive therapy.
“The current findings is also showing that children are having tuberculosis, so in the coming year, the breakthrough action Nigeria would also focus on addressing childhood TB, educating teachers and relevant stakeholders on the need to put children on preventive therapy” She said:
Dr. Aiyenigba said “If they have been exposed to adults that are positive and on treatment for TB, that way you will be able to protect the children”
“Breakthrough Action Nigeria is working towards addressing issues on stigmatization around TB. Stigma is one of the major problems contributing to the low number of people speaking out on their TB status or people that go to health facilities to get adequate treatment” She noted
The medical expert hinted that there has been increase in TB case finding in Nigeria when compared to statistics in other countries, attributing the feat to BA.N’s efforts on awareness on case finding and treatment.
She said during the 2022 financial year, breakthrough action Nigeria was committed to massive campaign on TB using all stakeholders especially community based key players and the media.
Dr. Aiyenigba emphasized that the USAID funded agency rode on the covid 19 pandemic to roll out sensitization campaign to inform members of the public on the need for TB testing and to be aware that, not all coughs were as a result of Covid 19 infection.
“We were able to implement this campaign on satellite, local television stations, radio, social media and the community. We were able to give the TB control a loud voice and draw people from the communities into the facilities, so that they’re checking and testing for tuberculosis” she added.
