TB: Experts advocate ‘one health’ approach to treatment

A professor of the department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Ibadan, Professor Simeon Cadmus has said that, for the National TB Control programme to achieve it objectives, a ‘One Health’ medical approach must be adopted.

The approach, according to the university Don, recognises the interdependence of the health of people, animals and the environment as well as collaboration between the medical and veterinary professionals towards solving the challenges of tuberculosis in Nigeria.

He made the assertion in a remark while addressing health stakeholders, community leaders, members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN), butchers, farmers at the Eruwa Town Hall, Eruwa, in commemorating the 2018 World TB Day.

The event also had in attendance, officials of the ministries of health, agriculture, scholars, researchers and experts in the field of veterinary medicine and public health.

Medical check up, TB test was also conducted on over 500 herdsmen, community members drawn from Eruwa, Iganna, lanlate, Igboora, Aiyete, Idere and Tapa. Free drugs were also given to the people.

The theme for the 2018 celebration is, “Wanted: Leaders for a TB-free world” and supported by African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) and Damien Foundation.

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Harping on the importance of synergising efforts that considers human and animal healths in tackling the menace of tuberculosis, Prof Cadmus who is the head, The Ibarapa Meje One Health Initiative (TIMOHI) called the attention of the government to the challenge of zoonotic tuberculosis (ZTB) which he said had been neglected over the years.

Those at risk of the ZTB, according to Prof. Cadmus, include pastoralists, livestock workers such as butchers,  people who drink unpasteurised milk and milk produce, those who consume improperly cooked meat and meat products among others.

He warned that the human burden of ZTB cannot be reduced without improvement of standards of food safety and the reduction of bovine tuberculosis in animals.

Wondering on why the menace of TB seem insurmountable in the country, Prof. Cadmus said the government is not investing enough in tackling health challenges in the country and also optimise the correct strategy.

The National TB Coordinator, Dr. Olutunde Babalola commended the facilitator of the programme for the initiative, noting that it is imperative for every member of the community to be a leader in ensuring that the menace of TB is phased out of the country.

While noting that ignorance has been found to be the cause why many people still die of TB, he enjoined the people to be the leader who would help others suspected to be suffering from the ailment to speak out and locate a TB treatment centre which he noted are located across the 33LGAs in the state.

He said out of the about 40,000 people screened in 2017; 6,901 fresh cases were recorded, warning that one TB carrier can infect 10 to 15 people in a year if not treated.

Representative of AFRNET, Dr. Aisha Usman disclosed that 47 persons die of TB cases in the country with at least seven children among the victims.

 

Pointing out that the figure is an indication that there is a problem to be tackled, she emphasized that the members of the public must be made not to consume infested meat and meat products that have been identified as a factor that is making the war against TB ineffective.