The First Lady of Kebbi State, Zainab Idris has announced that the state government will conduct free tuberculosis tests for children in 21 Local Government Areas of the state.
Speaking at a news briefing in Birnin Kebbi on Monday, she said the free test and treatment falls under the National Tuberculosis Testing Week for Children.
“Tuberculosis is a preventable, treatable and curable disease that mostly affects the lungs and is spread through the air when people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit. A person needs to inhale only a germ to become infected,” she said.
She said operations aimed at enhancing childhood TB detection and treatment through creative provision of integrated services had been lined up for the week.
“There will be free TB testing for all children who have been coughing for more than two weeks and concurrent free HIV testing for presumptive cases seen in all the testing centres throughout the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.
“This is in addition to appropriate linkage for continuing treatment and support for positive cases detected. There would be an intensive mobilisation and TB awareness campaign among community and health practitioners including sensitisation among the populace with high burden of TB in the state,” she stated.
Idris lauded the World Health Organisation (WHO), the State Ministry of Health, the State Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme and other implementing partners for their joint support toward achieving success for the exercise.
“In my capacity to stop the TB Champion of Kebbi State; I pledge my commitment and remain dedicated to this cause as every child deserves a healthy start to life,” she said.
She called on traditional rulers, mothers, caregivers and communities to embrace the test and participate for the benefit of the children.
