The testing and treatment of Tuberculosis is free, in all designated government hospitals in Nigeria, and health workers said if more people come out for diagnosis and early treatment, the ailment can be effectively curtailed.
Our health Correspondent, Jacqueline Ogoh, brings us more guide from doctors, in the week long celebration of the World TB Day in Nigeria.
If you have been coughing intensively for over two weeks, you need a Tuberculosis test, which the government provides for free.
And If you have been coughing for a lesser period of time, but you are around anyone with TB, go quickly for a test. Doctors say your safety, lies in those wise steps.
Nigeria is top on the chat of countries, predominantly plagued by Tuberculosis. That’s because of factors like poor ventilation in overcrowded areas, which allows the droplets of bacteria to be passed on very easily. Other factors include, poor hygiene and a poor dietary pattern.
Apart from the lungs, TB affects several other organs of the body.
When TB is not detected early, the cause of the ailment, Mycrobacterium tuberculosis, strengthens itself against drugs and becomes multi-drug resistant. For this reason, doctors say it must be detected early and people living with it, must adhere to the daily intake of their drugs.
Because Tuberculosis treatment is expensive, medical experts say govt and well meaning individuals and organisations, should keep supporting free treatment.
