By Kemi Olatunde

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Ondo State Government has commemorated the World Tuberculosis (TB) Day with awareness programme and free screening in the state.

The programme which was held at the State Sports Complex, Akure, screened over 150 athletes and officials of the state sports council for Tuberculosis.

Speaking at the event, Director, Public Health, Ministry of Health, Dr. Stephen Fagbemi, said the programme aimed at creating awareness and also screen residents assuring of government and supporting partner’s commitment to eradication of Tuberculosis in the state and Nigeria at large.

According to him, the state government has all hands on deck in the prevention and treatment of the disease in the state.

“Nigeria is a young growing population, majority of our population is young under the age of 40, and the youths are also involved in sports, Tuberculosis is one disease that can stop sports career because it’s a disease that ravaged the lungs.

He advised pregnant women to deliver their babies in the hospital to enable them access appropriate vaccination of their children, saying “the dose will protect them for life.”

Fagbemi stated that anyone who comes down with cough for more than a week should visit the hospital to enjoy free TB screening and treatment.

Head of Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme in the state, Dr Oluwafemi Aina, said the theme, ‘Tuberculolypics’ was to create awareness on dangers of the disease through sports.

Aina said diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis were free, and urged everyone to commit and help end the disease.

He appreciated the ministry of sports and the sports council for partnering with the health ministry and making themselves available for screening.

Aina noted that the state had started the screening through the free x-ray for anyone that showed sign or trace of the symptoms of the disease.

Similarly, Mr Michael Fasonu, State Technical Assistant, Damien Foundation, described the programme as a way of sensitising people to recognise the signs and symptoms of the disease.

Fasonu said the programme leveraged on the popularity of sports to create awareness amongst the people of the state.

He noted that as athletes are getting prepared for the Niger Delta Sports Festival, the programme provided the platform to get them tested.

The event was jointly organised by the State Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (STBLCP) and Damien Foundation, has as its theme: ”Tuberculolympics; Tuberculosis control and sport fusion 1.0”.