The Zonal TB Officer for the southeastern region of the country, Dr. Ufuomah Eduh, shared this update on Wednesday in Awka during the closing remarks of a week-long training program. The training focused on expanding the Direct Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) for tuberculosis (TB), leprosy, and Buruli ulcer management among general health workers.
Dr. Eduh explained that DOTS is a proven strategy for managing and controlling TB, aimed at curing patients and preventing drug resistance. He emphasized the organization’s support for Anambra State in improving access to TB services and reducing the disease’s burden.
Echoing Dr. Eduh’s sentiments, Dr. Ugochukwu Chukwulobelu, the Programme Manager for Anambra’s Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and Buruli Ulcer Management, highlighted the purpose of the training. He stated that it was designed to equip health workers with the necessary skills to handle TB cases effectively. He also expressed appreciation for the efforts of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration in combating TB through continuous training initiatives.
Dr. Chukwulobelu further revealed that 900 DOTS facilities have been set up across Anambra to ensure broader access to TB treatment. He urged participants to apply the knowledge gained during the training to their work, contributing to the state’s progress in tackling the disease.
Mr. Thomas Onazi, Deputy Director of the National TB Control Programme, also spoke at the event, noting that the training would significantly enhance the capabilities of health workers in the state. He reassured the public that TB is both preventable and treatable, emphasizing that it should not be seen as a death sentence.
The training was organized in partnership with the Anambra State Ministry of Health and received support from the Global Fund. Medical experts at the event explained that TB is an airborne disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs but can also harm other parts of the body. The disease spreads when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, releasing bacteria into the air.
Overall, the initiative aims to strengthen the state’s healthcare system, ensuring health workers are better prepared to manage TB cases and contribute to reducing its prevalence in Anambra.
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