Health experts caution against discriminating against TB survivors

Family members, work place colleagues and other members of the public have been cautioned against stigmatising or discriminating against Tuberculosis, TB, survivors.

Dr Bassey Offor, Director of Cross River State Tuberculosis Programme, represented by Mr Eugene Ajegi, said continual stigmatization has made many TB survivors to relapse into mental depression, isolation and other psychological consequences.

Offor spoke in a lecture on the topic, ‘The Role of Media in Addressing TB Stigma and Discrimination’ in Calabar on Friday.

He argued that it was very wrong for survivors to be discriminated against or stigmatized.

According to him, such actions have implications on survivors’ psyche, and often lead them to non-disclosure of their condition or becoming reclusive.

He advised that survivors be accepted and cared for to encourage them to continue with their medications and complete same on schedule.

In the same vein, he disclosed that TB medications are free to access, assuring that on completion of the prescription, the ailment will be completely cured.

According to Offor, Nigeria ranks as the number six high burdened TB nation in the world. He noted that there are 590 new cases every year in Nigeria.

He said one person can infect 10 to 15 persons in a community since it is a communicable disease caused by a germ called Mycobacterium.

Explaining that many cases of TB are often HIV related, he said it is easily spread in an air conditioned room.

In her remarks, Cross River State Coordinator of BreakThrough Action Nigeria, Pascaline Edim advised that there should be more awareness about TB and that people should constantly be screened or tested.

“There’s need for spread of TB to be cut through steady awareness programmes and regular testing and counseling sessions.

“People should be made to have correct knowledge of causes and mode of transmission of TB.

“Society leaders and religious leaders and the media should constantly embark on mass information about TB in our localities,” she said.