The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Benue state chapter, Wednesday pledged to partner with Butchers Association in Makurdi to tackle the spread of tuberculosis from animals to human beings.
The state chairman of the association, Dr Andrew Amine, stated this during a sensitisation visit to the Wurukum abattoir in Makurdi, the Benue state capital.
Amine noted that the association was ready to partner with the butchers and the abattoir workers to curtail spread of the disease, adding that if all stakeholders work together, tuberculosis could be eradicated.
“As the theme for the year 2024 World Tuberculosis Day stated that “Yes we can end TB, we are sure that Tuberculosis can be eradicated through collaborative efforts of all the stakeholders. If we work together, we will tackle the spread of the disease head on.
“The association is therefore ever ready to partner with the butchers as well as abattoir workers and government to safeguard the health of the Benue populace,” Amine said.
He further appreciated the state director of Livestock/Veterinary Services, Dr Edward Amali, for his unwavering support to the association.
Dr Nancy Nzelu, a lecturer at the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), in the Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, admonished butchers to always use hand gloves and apron while carrying out their tasks.
Nzelu stated the need to protect themselves in order not to contact any disease as a result of slaughtering and butchering animals.
She explained that they could contact diseases if they butcher infected animals or touch infected meat, and without washing hands properly.
