The National Tuberculosis and Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme (NTBLCP) has called for inclusion of Tuberculosis (TB) treatment and care into the National Health Insurance to enable people to have easy access to TB services.
Head, Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilisation (ACSM) Unit at the NTBLCP, Dr Jemila Amin, who made the call at the TB advocacy meeting organised by the Debriche Health Development Centre (DHDC), decried the low level of awareness and stressed the need for increased advocacy to enlighten Nigerians about the disease.
She noted that the government has made TB test and treatment free for six months, adding that people can enter into any government facility, get tested and treated. Amin stated that the involvement of youth, women and children will help to fight the diseases, which is a public health concern in the country.
She said: “This programme is for the youths, as young people are the most productive age groups that indulge in low health behaviours. We also want them to help us create awareness; we know that they are the ones that are more active in social media and other forms of communications.”
Amin stated that funding has been a major challenge in the efforts to end TB and advocated for more funding from government, civil societies and development partners.
Executive Director, KNCV Nigeria Tuberculosis Foundation, Dr Betran Odume, said stigmatisation and discrimination remains a key barrier to accessing TB care. He observed that when people are stigmatised, it limits, hinders their access to care and makes them hide their status, thereby increasing the spread of the disease.
Odume expressed regrets that in 2024, many Nigerians still believe that TB is not curable and related to witchcraft activities. He said this assumption has led to a lot of stigmatisation, rejection and shaming of TB patients, who now hide and refuse to disclose their condition or seek help.
The convener of the programme and Executive Director, Debriche Health Development Centre (DHDC), Mrs Deborah Ikeh, said the organisation plans to educate young people on how to overcome the barriers tuberculosis in the country.
She said: “We all know that the disease is treatable, curable and preventable. That only 30 per cent of Nigerians have TB signs symptoms. This is a huge challenge and that is why we’re mobilising young people, empowering them as champions to become TB advocates. We want to leverage the platforms of these young people, their voices, strength, and the movement of young people to speak about these issues.”
