The Kebbi State Government has said it will conduct free tuberculosis tests for children in the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.

The wife of the state governor, Zainab Idris, who is the Stop TB Champion of the state, made the disclosure at a news briefing in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.

She said that the free test and treatment fell 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 activities had been lined up for the week aimed at enhancing childhood TB detection and treatment through innovative provision of integrated services.

“There will be free TB testing for all children who have been coughing for more than two weeks, and a 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.

The governor’s wife commended the World Health Organisation, other implementing partners, state ministry of health and the state Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme for their support and cooperation 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, however, urged traditional rulers, mothers, caregivers and communities to participate actively in the programme for the benefit of the children.

(NAN)