CRSMoH marks world TB Day celebration tagged “Yes We Can End TB”

By Kenneth Anam

The Cross River State Ministry of Health on Friday marked the World Tuberculosis Day 2023 celebration with the theme ‘Yes! We Can End TB’

The event aims to inspire hope and encourage high-level leadership, increased investments, faster uptake of new WHO recommendations as regards TB eradication, treatment and awareness, adoption of new innovations, accelerated action, and multi-sectoral collaboration that will ensure the swift combat and eradication of TB epidemic.

This year’s celebration is critical with opportunities to raise visibility and political commitment at the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on TB. The spotlight on World TB Day, whilst urging countries to stir up progress in the lead-up to the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on TB.

At the launch of the event, the WHO has issued a call to action with partners urging member states to accelerate the rollout of the new WHO-recommended shorter all-oral treatment regimens for drug-resistant TB.

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Speaking during the launch the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong stated that the World TB Day which is observed annually on March 24th to raise awareness on TB and other efforts to end the global epidemic, since 1882 when the bacterium causing TB was discovered, was however expedient to be observed in a bid of ensuring a wide range of awareness and advocacy that will help bring the menacing effects of the epidemic to the lowest minimum bearing and a possible end.

The Honourable Commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Mrs Pauline Obute, charged the relevant health authorities and workers to come together and ensure that the efforts of the government and other relevant organizations and partners meet the required and envisaged results to ameliorate the sufferings of persons living with this ailment whilst ensuring the safety of others in the society.

Dr. Ekpenyong charged and encouraged all Cross Riverians to always ensure they visit designated health facilities to be thoroughly screened and tested whenever suspected symptoms are recorded, stating that the cough may not be ordinary.

The team of medical and health experts proceeded to having an awareness and advocacy walk through the state capital to ensure proper sensitization for Cross Riverians.