Over 2000 new cases of tuberculosis have been discovered in Cross River while over 157,000 died in 2019.
This was disclosed by Dr. Tito Aiyenigba during a training for health correspondents in Cross River State explaining that tuberculosis’ symptoms which include cough, night sweats amongst others is not a death sentence
She said “As the media, we have the power to speak on the policy level; it is the role of the media to look into the policy of Government on TB. The media should help and provide the facts about tuberculosis.”
Dr Aiyenigba implored by the media to assist in preaching against stigmatization on those living with TB as it is not a death sentence, maintaining that 157, 000 persons died of tuberculosis in 2019. In Cross River, it is said there are over 2,000 new cases of tuberculosis.
The facilitator of the training which held online (zoom), Jumoke Adebari, who is the National Director of the Program said that, tuberculosis is one of the deadliest diseases in Nigeria and the globe reiterating that the silent killer is underreported.
Jumoke stressed that TB is airborne and not sexually transmitted or witchcraft as posited by some people
In a brief interview the State Advocacy Communication Mobilization Desk Officer, Cross River State Tuberculosis Program, Mr. Dominic Ndem called on the press to utilize the knowledge they have gotten for the benefit of the masses.
The highlight of the training which included Delta, Imo, Taraba, Gombe, Edo and Cross River States featured a question and answer session. The zoon was organized by the National Tuberculosis Program and Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH).
