As part of her grassroots approach to reducing the prevalence of TB in Nigeria, the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) USAID TB LON 3 programme in collaboration with NYSC Lagos Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has inaugurated a tuberculosis health club at Aje Comprehensive Junior High School, Sabo Yaba, Lagos.
During the investiture of TB champions at the school, former national coordinator National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), Dr Adebola Lawanson, said the students would stand as advocates.
She urged them to go into their environment, help their peers and spread the information on TB thus reducing discrimination and increasing the uptake of tuberculosis services.
He said, “We did a survey that revealed that only 30% of the populace are aware of tuberculosis, its control and prevention.
Tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment of childhood TB in Nigeria remains a major challenge in the national tuberculosis (TB) intervention programme.
“Nigeria is the country with the third highest burden of childhood TB globally. Despite an estimated 77,000 childhood TB cases in 2020, Nigeria has notified 8,441 childhood TB cases.
“It is important to sensitize the children so they can in turn sensitize their colleagues. The essence is that the children take the information that TB is preventable, curable, and treatment is free to their immediate environment.”
Principal of Aje Comprehensive Junior High School Sabo, Yaba, Mr. Ladipo Adelele noted that the initiative was good, saying: “Anybody can be infected especially as we interact with students and teachers, some are not aware they may have it.”
