By Okechukwu Okechukwu
A Civil Society organisation, Anambra State TB Network has appealed to the state government to take advantage of existing community structures to boost its response to tuberculosis.
The State Coordinator of the network, Ifeyinwa Unachukwu gave the suggestion during a meeting with artisans drawn from various markets and communities in the state, held under the Fund TB project supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Through the Palladium Group.
According to Unachukwu, “Government should use existing community structures such as age grades, Old Boys/Girls, various wings of ASATU etc to raise fund for TB”.
“We also need to sustain sensitization so that our people will see the need to go for testing. Start from your little corner to influence this awareness creation campaign,” she charged the artisans.
“Look around you and see what yo can do to improve testing, treatment and awareness creation around tuberculosis. We are all at risk because it is airborne.
The Fund TB project is being executed in five southern states by a cluster of five NGOs under the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE).
The M&E Focal Person for the State Tuberculosis Control Program, Chiamaka Oguejiofor, explained that tuberculosis is curable but called for early detection and treatment to increase likelihood of survival.
“We must work to get the missed cases. If immune system is strong, somebody can be infected and remain healthy. But when immune system is down, the signs and symptoms come out.
He listed the symptoms of TB to include: fever, cough of about two weeks or more, shortness or difficulty in breathing, as well as tiredness, chest pain, loss of appetite, night sweat and coughing out blood.
“At the moment, we have set up a fully furnished TB Situation Room inside the State Teaching Hospital, and expand microscopic testing to flood prone, hard to reach areas not covered by GeneXpert.
“We have equally introduced wellness Keke mobile diagnostic approach, and scaled up of GeneXpert machines from 9 to 13”.
She appealed to participants to encourage fellow citizens to go for early testing which increase the rate of success. “Tuberculosis is no longer a death sentence as patients can be totally cured, but the cases must be presented on time. It can be very deadly if not treated early.
“Apart from the lungs, tuberculosis can affect the brain, bone, spine, abdomen, but test and treatemtn will help,” she explained.
To prevent tuberculosis, Oguejiofor advised participants to avoid overcrowding, while they eat foods that build immune system.
“If you know somebody who is showing signs of TB, report and encourage them to go for testing. “We keep sensitising and educating them so that more people will be aware.
“We have testing and treatment centres across the state. Encourage our people to go and access treatment free of charge”.
The Head, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning of the Fund TB Cluster, Faith Paulinus in a presentation on “Transformative Budgeting and Financing for Improved Tuberculosis Servies in Nigeria”, explained that “the goal of the project is to improve public accountability, transparency, and sustainable service delivery in Nigeria.
The cluster is tackling poor domestic investment in TB. However, we also know that Government cannot do it alone. We all have a role to play to increase domestic funding. Currently domestic funding accounts for 6.1 percent while partners fund 24 percent. We need to urgently bridge the yearning funding gap.
“It takes over 500 thousand naira to manage a TB patient. When you remember that not many Nigerians can afford that, we must have to call on private sector players to come and assist. Incorporate TB into your Corporate Social Responsibility.
Ngozi Onwubuya, the Monitoring and Evaluation, M&E officer of Gender Perspective and Social Development Centre, organisers of the programme, urged participants to help spread the message that the tuberculosis treatment in Anambra State is free. Encourage our people to go for testing which is free. TB is a major public health challenge in Anambra State and it needs attention of all of us.
The Executive Director of the organization, Eucharia Anekwe, regretted that some of the partners funding TB response in the state have left. “They were the ones paying stipends to community TB workers who closely monitor cases.
“Now that the money is no longer coming, those people engaged then are no longer doing anything and the cases of TB continue to spread.
“Those people bringing this money are leaving us. That is why we have this challenge. We need the support of everyone no matter how small”.
Two artisans, Innocent Nwoye, and Oby Mogo, stressed the need for sensitization. “The major thing is to create greater awareness as many people still don’t know about this disease. Many people call tuberculosis poison,” Mogo said.
The National President, Artisans Association of Nigeria, Juliet, Ezenwosu, expressed commitment to the Fund TB intervention.
“We will bring bags of rice and bean and fruits. But above all, we will invite you to our markets so that you can carry out sensitization and testing.