RIVERS STATE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT BOARD HOLDS 2024 WORLD TUBERCULOSIS DAY
•••As Prof. Kinikanwo Green assures Rivers people Of effective Healthcare delivery
In a bid to combat the prevalence of Tuberculosis (TB) and raise awareness about the disease, the Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board has held the 2024 World Tuberculosis Day event at the Rumuigbo Primary Health Centre.
During the event, Prof. Kinikanwo Innocent Green, the Executive Secretary of the Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board, stressed the importance of celebrating World Tuberculosis Day to increase awareness about the disease.
In his words, ” Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs, causing symptoms such as cough, weight loss, and fever, ” Prof. Green said.
Prof. Kinikanwo Green emphasized the negative impact of Tuberculosis on the overall health of individuals and the community as a whole. He urged everyone to work towards eliminating the disease from Rivers State entirely.
Furthermore, Prof. Kinikanwo Green highlighted that Tuberculosis can affect not only individuals but also their family members, including mothers, children, and fathers. He stressed the importance of mothers visiting primary healthcare centers to ensure their children receive the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine (BCG), which helps prevent Tuberculosis.
Assessing the availability of drugs and test kits, Prof. Kinikanwo Green assured healthcare workers that the challenges faced by the healthcare facility would be addressed promptly. This commitment reaffirms the government’s dedication to providing quality healthcare services and resources necessary to effectively combat Tuberculosis in Rivers State.
Dr. Jose Michael, the South-South Zonal Tuberculosis Officer for the World Health Organization (WHO), emphasized the commitment to eradicate Tuberculosis by 2030.
During his speech, Dr. Jose Michael stressed the urgency to ensure that TB patients have access to quality healthcare services. He commended the Executive Secretary of Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board for his efforts and expressed WHO’s continued partnership with the board.
Dr. Michael further stated that identifying individuals with Tuberculosis promptly and ensuring their complete cure is a core principle both WHO and the board are committed to.
Dr. Victor Oris, the State Tuberculosis Officer representing the Rivers State Ministry of Health, affirmed the state’s dedication to collaborating with the Primary Health Care Management Board and providing them with necessary support. He acknowledged the recent celebration of World TB Day in the state and commended the board’s role in achieving significant progress in healthcare delivery.
Dr. Nera Kadiri, the State Coordinator of KNCV, also spoke at the event. In her speech, she focused on preventive measures for Tuberculosis, educating the audience on the importance of early detection, vaccination, and adhering to prescribed treatment to stop the spread of the disease.
As part of the event, participants had the opportunity to tour the healthcare facility and observe the drugs and test kits used for diagnosing and treating Tuberculosis. This hands-on experience allowed healthcare professionals to gain a better understanding of the resources available to them in their fight against the disease.
The event served as a reminder of the ongoing battle against Tuberculosis and the collective responsibility to protect the health and well-being of the community. By raising awareness and improving access to healthcare services, Rivers State aims to reduce the incidence of Tuberculosis and enhance the overall health outcomes for its residents.
