Uko Itohowo, the Director of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme, says COVID-19 has worsened tuberculosis cases in Nigeria as about 60 per cent of patients go unnoticed and untreated.

Ms Itohowo disclosed this on Monday in a virtual media seminar with journalists in Ilorin.

According to the 2020 World Health Organisation (WHO) report, Nigeria ranks first in leading TB cases in Africa and sixth in the world.

Ms Itohowo added that TB kills 18 Nigerians every hour, with a record number of 47 Nigerians developing “active” TB every hour, seven of which are children.

She observed that the government focused attention on COVID-19 to the detriment of TB, an equally deadly disease.

She added, “The inability of tuberculosis patients to access medication during the COVID-19 lockdown worsened the spread of tuberculosis in Nigeria.

“Thus, about 150,000 persons died of tuberculosis in Nigeria in 2019 alone, according to a World Health Organisation report.” 

Ms Itohowo listed symptoms of tuberculosis to include fever, loss of weight, and protracted cough.

She said, however, that contrary to misinformation, tuberculosis is curable, and urged people with a persistent cough that has lasted for two weeks to go for a test.

She noted that TB could be cured with an early diagnosis within six months, adding that treatment of tuberculosis is free at designated hospitals in the country.

“TB is not spread through shaking someone’s hand, sharing food, touching bed linens or toilet seats, or sharing toothbrushes.

“TB is also not contracted through witchcraft but is airborne,” she explained.

Ms Itohowo, therefore, appealed to media practitioners to assist in sensitising the public about the causes, prevention, and treatment of the disease. 

(NAN)