WORLD TB DAY: EBONYI STATE GOVT, MADEN HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION, WOMEN GROUPS, CATHOLIC CARITAS FOUNDATION COMMEMORATE DAY IN EBONYI

"The World TB day 2025, with the theme; “Yes! We Can End TB:  Commit, Invest, Deliver," had series of activities such as a Road Walk that commenced from the stadium through designated routes in the state capital."

The Ebonyi state chapter of the Maden Healthcare Foundation, alongside the Ebonyi State Ministry of Health and National Tuberculosis & Leprosy Control Program (NTBLCP) unit in collaboration with Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria (CCFN) and several other groups, recently commemorated the World Tuberculosis Day at a one day event which took place in Ebonyi state.

The event which enjoyed wide publicity and acceptance from the residents of the state, had other groups with chapters in the state such as ECEWS, Medical Women's Association of Nigeria (MWAN) National Putreach Committee, Alex Ekwueme Federal & Ebonyi State University and the Ebonyi Medical Students Association, REDAIDS Nigeria, SASCP,  SACA, The Global Fund, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), The Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria (APHPN) in attendance.

The World TB day 2025, with the theme; “Yes! We Can End TB:  Commit, Invest, Deliver," had series of activities such as a Road Walk that commenced from the stadium through designated routes in the state capital.

The event also had a "World TB Day commemoration Radio enlightenment call- in programs that featured live at the EBBC (98.1FM) on Monday the 24th of March that was aired between 3-4pm.

Featured on the live call-in programme was the Director Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr Nwokporo Michael; the Chairman NVMA Ebonyi Chapter Dr Gloria Magaji and also, TBL Program Manager, Ministry of Health, Mr Samuel Nwite. Also featured in the live call-in programme was  Ms Charity Okoye from the Catholic CARITAS Foundation and a TB Survivor, Mr Okenu Stephen.

Similarly, the Legacy Radio 95.1FM on the same day featured Dr Ifeyinwa Maureen Okeke, MWAN National Outreach Committee Chairman; Maden Healthcare Foundation, Ebonyi State Coordinator; the  Public Relations Officer of the APHPN in  Ebonyi State; Mr Okenu Stephen, a TB Survivor; Vet Dr. Eugene Ibe and lastly, the representative of the NMWA.

During the Road walk that started off at about 7am had 87 persons (43 females and 44 males) in attendance, residents were given sensitization in English and local dialects on what TB is, its TB is spread and symptoms including where one could get checked, receive treatment or help as well as need for everyone to be everyone's keeper in addressing the scourge. 

In the two radio phone-in programs held the same day, discussions by the Resource Persons centred on why World TB day is commemorated, the 2025 theme, symptoms and signs of TB. Sensitization on its prevention, including the role of One Health in TB prevention, etc. These radio program reaches the whole of South Eastern Nigeria (Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo States) plus Cross River State. 

The highlight of the Radio phone-in program was the experience sharing by a TB survivor. 

The following day featured a Public enlightenment/Sensitization at the Garki Abbattoir (Tuesday 25, March 2025) at 10am where 27 meat sellers (comprising of 17 females and 10 males) as well as 13 cattle sellers and owners were educated on Bovine Tuberculosis: its causes, presentation, control and it's prevention.  Cough etiquette was also taught and importance of hand washing was reiterated. 

The groups also engaged in Community Outreach to 6 High Risk Local Government Areas (LGAs) using AI-enabled X-ray for Integrated screening of Tuberculosis and other Lung conditions. 

At the end of the event, Special thanks were extended to all the Partners who supported this clarion call in the End TB fight; Lets continue to Commit, Invest and Deliver to End TB!

#OneHealth