Understanding Tuberculosis (TB) and Fighting Discrimination
We need to be kind and supportive to people who have survived Tuberculosis (TB). This means family members, work friends, and everyone else should not treat them badly or make them feel sad.
Dr. Bassey Offor, who helps run the TB program in Cross River State, said that when people treat TB survivors badly, it makes them feel very sad and lonely. This can make them feel very depressed.
Dr. Offor talked about this topic, ‘How the Media Can Help Stop TB Stigma and Discrimination,’ in Calabar on Friday.
He said that it is very wrong to treat people who survived TB unfairly. When we do this, it hurts their feelings and makes them want to hide their condition.
He suggested that we should accept and care for TB survivors. This way, they will continue taking their medicine until they are completely healed.
Dr. Offor also shared that TB medicine is free. If TB survivors take all their medicine, they will get well.
He mentioned that Nigeria is one of the top six countries where many people get TB. Every year, there are 590 new cases in Nigeria.
TB is a sickness that spreads easily from one person to another through a germ called Mycobacterium. One person with TB can make 10 to 15 others sick, especially in places with air conditioning.
Many people with TB also have HIV, making it easier for them to catch TB.
Pascaline Edim, who works for BreakThrough Action Nigeria, said we need to know more about TB. Everybody should get tested to see if they have TB.
She said we can stop TB from spreading by telling people more about it and by having regular testing and counseling.
People should learn how TB spreads and what causes it. Leaders in our communities, including religious leaders and the media, should help to share this information with everyone.