All governmental and non-governmental organisations, public and private health sectors, religious and non-religious organizations, and the general public at large have been charged to show commitment in the fight against Tuberculosis in Ebonyi State.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Ekuma, gave the charge over the weekend while joining his counterparts across the globe to celebrate World TB Day 2024, with the theme ‘Yes! We can end TB!’.
According to him, the State Government’s counterpart contributions since December 1996 for TB rose from 63.4% in December 1997 to 86% in December 2023, with a treatment success rate of 90%.
He then encouraged people to increase investment and uptake of World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, as well as adoption of innovations including involvement of civil society organizations to reduce tuberculosis cases to the barest minimum.
He further disclosed the achievements of the State Government in fighting the disease, including sensitization of every community about the causes and cures.
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Dr. Ekuma, however, advised the people of the State to seek early diagnosis and cure, adding that “nine Gene-Xpert machines were installed in the State in addition to the TB Microscopic Centres to enhance High Tech and rapid diagnosis of all forms of Tuberculosis at St. Patrick Hospital, AE-FUTHA, Mater Hospital, Presbyterian Joint Hospital Uburu, Ezzamgbo Gen. Hospitals, General Hospital Onueke, Mile Four Treatment Center, Touch Diagnostics Abakaliki, and DUFUTH”.
Also, the Commissioner listed inadequate funding as one of the challenges facing the program and lauded the implementing partners like WHO, CARITAS Nigeria, Association for Reproductive and Family Health, Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria among others for their support to the State.
Earlier, the Programme Manager, National Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme (NTBLCP), Chief Nwite Samuel, said that the briefing was to assess the progress of TB services in the State and commended the Commissioner for his role in fighting the menace.
On his part, the Director of Public Health, Dr. Hyacinth Ebenyi, eulogized CARITAS Nigeria and other supporting partners for their encouragement and promised to continue the sensitization in the State.
Representatives from WHO, Dr. Danladi Ndahi; CARITAS Group, Dr. Chidimma Ezeobi; Instrat Global Health Solutions, Mr. Peter Yougha; the Zonal Technical Lead ECEWS, Mr. Osabiku Onyekachukwu; and principal officers of the Ministry attended the briefing.”
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