Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis/Leprosy and Malaria (BACATMA) has encouraged parents and guardians to make their children available for this year’s Tuberculosis testing.
The executive chairman of BACATMA, Dr Sani Dambam made the call during the flag off of the 2024 National Childhood Tuberculosis Testing Week at Kafin Madaki Primary Healthcare Centre.
The tuberculosis test, with support from USAID, KNCV, Breakthrough Action and the Institution of Human Virology in Nigeria, was designed to fight childhood Tuberculosis among children in the state.
He explained that Tuberculosis among children has limited symptoms, hence the need for parents, caregivers and healthcare workers to learn more about TB testing in children which according to him, both testing and medication are free.
He said, primary symptoms for Tuberculosis include fever, weight loss, coughing for over two weeks, sweating at night, among others, and emphasized the need for people to make conscious efforts for free ventilation as well as using facemasks while coughing.
Dr Dambam expressed BACATMA’s determination to fight other diseases affecting the people of the state and commended the state government for their cooperation and support for the agency.
In their remarks, representatives of USAID, KNCV, USAID, Breakthrough Action Nigeria and Institute of Human Virology in Nigeria expressed their commitments in supporting the state and the agency in ensuring that the healthcare system is improved upon and given the necessary attention it deserves.
They added that their primary role is to assist the state in terms of creating awareness on the dangers of Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDs, malaria and ensuring access to quality healthcare services for women and children in both urban and rural healthcare centres.
