Tuberculosis kills over 162,000 Nigerians yearly – NTS

Akpan Umoh

The Nigerian Thoracic Society (NTS), on Wednesday said tuberculosis killed over 162,000 people in the country yearly.

A press statement signed by the President of the NTS, Prof. Prince Ele, in Uyo, noted that almost 430,000 people also fall ill with the disease in the country.

The president said Tuberculosis remains the world’s deadliest infectious killer and Global efforts to combat the disease have saved millions of lives in Nigeria and globally since the year 2000.

He expressed displeasure that despite strong commitments made by world leaders, all efforts to end the disease have been relegated to the background as countries grapple with COVID-19 pandemic.

Ele said that the theme of World TB Day 2021, “The clock is ticking” was quite apt, considering the current global health and economic challenges.

He urged government at all levels in the country and other world leaders to ensure that TB gets necessary attention as the number one infectious killer disease and should receive all the needed attention and the top priority it deserves.

“We in the Nigerian Thoracic Society are not oblivious of the current challenges our health authorities are contending with due to COVID-19.

“We encourage full participation of our members in all local awareness campaigns, we emphasize the need to constantly observe all COVID-19 preventive protocols,” he said.

Our correspondent reports that the World TB Day is celebrated March 24 of every year to raise awareness about the health, social and economic consequence of the disease and to step up efforts to end TB epidemic.