The inability of Tuberculosis patients to access medication during the covid-19 lockdown worsened the spread of tuberculosis in Nigeria,thus about 150,000 persons died of tuberculosis in Nigeria in 2019 alone according to a world health organization report.
Director, National Tuberculosis & Leprosy Control Programme, Itohowo Uko who disclosed this on Monday in a virtual media seminar with newsmen in Ilorin ,Kwara state capital identified symptoms of tuberculosis as fever, loss of weight, and protracted cough. Uko also clarified that contrary to misinformation, tuberculosis is curable, urging people with a persistent cough that has lasted for two weeks to go for a test.
According to her, with early diagnosis, tuberculosis could be cured within six months, adding that treatment of tuberculosis is free at designated hospitals in the country.
While concluding that untreated Tuberculosis patient could infest 15 more persons in one year. Itohowo Uko ,a Director of National Tuberculosis & Leprosy Control Programme dispelled the notion in some quarters that TB is contracted through sharing of plates, cups and cutlery, or projected through witchcraft, explaining that the disease is only airborne.
She appealed to media practitioners to assist in sensitizing the public about the causes, prevention and treatment of tuberculosis.
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