Kwara State first lady, Dr. (Mrs) Olufolake Abdulrazaq has charged stakeholders in the health sector to intensify effort towards stopping the spread of Tuberculosis (TB) and other chronic diseases. She gave the charge at during a video broadcast to commemorate the 2020 world TB day.
Kwara State First Lady
TB is among Nigeria’s top health priorities and is one of the 14 countries listed in all three of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) global list of high burden countries for TB, TB/HIV and multi-drug resistant (MDR)- Tuberculosis.-
Kwara state contributes significantly to the burden of TB in Nigeria with case notification of 35% of her annual target and 65% missing cases in 2018. These cases tend to have a multiplier effect on the disease burden among children as one smear positive case have the probability of infecting additional 15-20 persons over the year.
Mrs. Olufolake Abdulrazaq also commended the Kwara TB team for their resilience over the years and urged them to do more towards integrating TB services, as well as maternal and child care as new cases of babies having TB infection is worrisome.
It would be recalled that earlier in the year, Nigeria’s first lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari named Mrs Olufolake Abdulrazaq the Kwara TB champion in recognition of the Kwara State First Lady’s advocacy/war against Tuberculosis in the state.
“It is my duty as the TB champion of the state to ensure effective diagnosis and treatment of TB in the state. Anyone who is feeling ill is enjoined to visit the state TB centre where diagnosis and treatment are free”.
“When you notice symptoms such as weight loss, night sweats and fever or any cough that has persisted for more than two weeks are advised to be reported to the State TB centre immediately”.
