One in 13 Anambra residents has tuberculosis, says the Anambra State Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Management.

It project manager Ugochukwu Chukwulobelu disclosed this on Friday during an advocacy visit to the Director of the National Orientation Agency, Charles Nwoji, in Awka.

Mr Chukwulobelu said, “No fewer than 18 Nigerians die every hour of TB, and one case of untreated TB can infect between 10 and 15 persons per year. Anambra is among the high burden states in the country. It was estimated that one in every 13 residents has TB.

“In the first quarter of 2021, about 1,200 TB cases were diagnosed in Anambra, and we still need to do more because there is a huge number of TB patients in communities that are not notified.” 

According to him, people’s knowledge of tuberculosis in Anambra is low. 

“We have discovered that only few residents have knowledge about tuberculosis,” he pointed out, appealing

to the residents to report suspected cases of tuberculosis in their communities to the nearest healthcare centre for appropriate action.

Responding, Mr Nwoji promised to support the programme by raising awareness of the challenges of the disease and the necessary measures to be taken to reduce its prevalence in the state.

Tuberculosis is a disease caused by a bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis which usually attacks the lungs and could also damage other parts of the body.

It spreads through the air when a person with tuberculosis of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, or talks.