FG, group in free TB screening, treatment in six Abuja councils

AS part of activities to mark the 2024 World Tuberculosis Day, the Federal Government in partnership with Breakthrough Action Nigeria has embarked on free Tuberculosis ( TB) screening, treatment and sensitisation in six Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT). Among the areas picked for the exercise is the Apo Mechanic village, which has a predominantly male population. Senior government officials explained that the reason for choosing maledominated places is because according to the American National Library of Medicine, 66.9 per cent of those with tuberculosis are male.

Speaking on the occasion, the Head of Advocacy Communication and Social Mobilisation ( ACSM), National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme ( NTBLCP), Dr Jamila Amin, noted that medical outreach and sensitisation has been conducted in schools, mosques, churches and other places adding that the team was in Apo mechanic to sensitise people on tuberculosis, screen them, as well as provide a treatment plan for them.

She said: "We have been holding outreaches in all the six area councils of the FCT within this period. Aside from tuberculosis testing, we are also doing HIV testing, offering free health counseling for people with disease generally but the screening for tuberculosis and HIV.

Representative of Lawyers Alert, an organisation that sees to the protection of those affected by tuberculosis, Bamidele Jacobs, stated that it is important for citizens to know that they have the right to free testing and treatment.

“Patients with tuberculosis have a right not to be discriminated against. We have been informed that once the patients undergo the first twoweek treatment, the infection cannot be transmitted to anybody again.”