Isaac Olamikan, Benin City
Edo State Government has urged residents in the state to take advantage of the free tuberculosis treatment programme in public health centres across the state.
Addressing newsmen in Benin City during a sensitisation programme, the Director of Public Health, Edo State Ministry of Health, Dr Stephenson Ojeifo, said that the Edo State Government would continue to accord priority to the health needs of the people.
He said, “Tuberculosis is not a death sentence and the Edo State Government has evolved measures, which include free treatment of tuberculosis in health centres across the state.”
Ojeifo also identified symptoms of Tuberculosisto include persistent cough that has stayed for more than a week, cough that contains blood, and consistent emaciation.
He therefore advised persons with such symptoms to visit the hospital for medical attention.
sThe director said that the state government would continue to enlighten and sustain awareness on the dangers of tuberculosis, symptoms and preventive measures to be taken against the spread of the disease.
Ojeifo stressed the need for members of the public to go for regular medical check-up, testing for tuberculosis, and if diagnosed, get treated for free at any primary health centre across the state.
Also I at the occasion, the World Health Orgnaisation (WHO) representative, Dr Efemena Onowugbeda said that the organisation is poised to support the state government in tackling the infection, noting that measures were being taken to give children Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination at birth and during routine immunization.
