Tuberculosis remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious killers and the World Health Organization has set aside 24th, March every year as the World Tuberculosis day as experts say TB remains a significant public health issue globally.
In commemoration of the day, Radio Health Communicators, Moninkanola Ogidan of Adaba 88.9FM, Akure and Oluwadamilola Taiwo of Crest 106.1FM, Akure took their advocacy to Oja Oba market in Akure, the Ondo State Capital.
The advocacy trail made its first stop at the office of the Ondo State Director of Public Health, Dr Stephen Fagbemi.
Dr Fagbemi appreciated the team and emphasized the role of the media in promoting positive health seeking behavior.
‘Knowledge and information is power. Perspectives when properly shaped is going to motivate action. So for us, knowledge and awareness creation is very important, this is where the media comes in. In Nigeria, the media is competing very well with educational institutions, and they can speak on how the issues of public health challenges affect the people’ the Public Health expert noted.
Dr Fagbemi also called on citizens to note that testing and treatment of Tuberculosis is available and free in Ondo State at all Primary Health Care facilities.
Ogidan and Taiwo said the sensitization at the market was to build community relationships to encourage anyone with symptoms to seek a diagnosis and treatment from medical professionals.
Speaking with newsmen, Taiwo said “we could deduce from the market survey we had that a lot still needs to be done in demystifying issues around Tuberculosis as most people would rather live in denial than accept the reality that TB exists and seek urgent treatment for anyone who has been coughing for over a week”.
She also mentioned that as a practising radio health communicator over the years, she has found out that just as the bible says, some people perish just because they lack knowledge. “When we have information, we are better than those who don’t and can take decisive steps with the information we have”.
Ogidan in her words said “The essence of the sensitisation is to promote positive health seeking behavior and encourage our people to spread the news about testing and treatment of Tuberculosis which is totally free according to the public health experts. Like they always say, health is a collective responsibility, so this is our contribution as Public health communicators and we hope to do more of this in the coming days.’
“We were also surprised to find out that most people at the market do not even know that testing and treatment of TB is free even though we say this on the radio and I also think the government should do more in investing in announcements on radio because the radio travels far and can talk to millions of people at the same time”.
The theme of World TB Day 2024 – ‘Yes! We can end TB!’ – serves as a call to action to resucitate efforts in combating this epidemic through high level leadership, increased investments and faster uptake of new WHO recommendations.