Title: Tuberculosis

Author: Adedoyin&co
Date: 16/3/2015
NIGERIA RANKS 11TH WITH HIGH RATE OF TUBERCULOSIS
Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the major health challenges in the world and with
Nigeria ranked 11th among countries with high burden of tuberculosis in the
world, a major part of the population is then at risk of the disease.
Speaking with Dr Mrs Esther Ajayi of Gbagada General Hospital Lagos,
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria mycobacterium and it
affect a wide range of other organs such as kidney, intestines, reproductive organs,
central nervous system and the bones. The disease is airborne, when you inhale
the infected air, you have inhale the bacteria and it settles in your lungs.
The need for a proactive measures is imperative has the segment mostly affected
by this disease are people under 25-34 years of age which are the working
population and the greatest asset to the growth of the economy of any nation.
Similarly, In a statement by the minister of state for health Dr Khaliru Alhassan,
Tuberculosis today remain an epidemic in most part of the world causing the death
of nearly one-and-a -half million of people each year mostly in developing
countries. The burden of this disease is further made worse by the negligence of
many Nigerians when contracted. As Nigerians, they must have used one thing or
the other, it is when they are not better after a long period of time that they
remember the hospital. Dr Ajayi quipped.
The symptoms of the disease include coughing, fever, sweating at night, loss of
appetite and weight, tiredness and chest pains. With the world Tuberculosis day
coming up on the 23rd of March, the government and all stakeholders should
intensify the awareness of the deadly disease among its population to ensure a
healthy population.