Cross River Health Commissioner Says 149 Die Of TB, 7000 Infected With Disease In Last Two Years

By Ebi COLLINS

Cross River state Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, has disclosed that one hundred and fourty-nine persons have died from tuberculosis attack with about seven thousand persons infected with the virus in the last two years.

Ayuk, who made the disclosure during the inauguration of 2024 tuberculosis campaign to mark World Tuberculosis Day at Christ for the World Mission, Calabar, said: "You can see that the mortality is not accepted. TB is a killer, yet it can be prevented. It can be treated. This is why we came here to let people know.

"There were about 177 treatment centres in Cross River State. I am urging residents of the state with cough that had lasted beyond two weeks to visit the any of the centres for free diagnosis and treatment.

"When you visit any treatment centre and you are declared positive, treatment is free it's the reason we are here in church to let you know this." Ayuk maintained.

Also speaking, the Programme Manager, TB and Leprosy Control in Cross River, Dr. Bassey Offor, states that one infected person with TB can infect more than fifteen persons within a year.

He enumerated local government areas in the state with high prevalence of tuberculosis to include Calabar South, Ogoja, Boki and Yakurr stressing that filthy environment is responsible for tuberculosis infection.

In her remarks State Cordinator, Breakthrough Breakthrough Action, Pascaline Edim, advised residents of the state not to live in crowded and filthy environment so as not to be infected with the virus, urging nursing mothers to ensure that that antigens vaccine is administered to thier babies given the fact that the virus is an airborne disease.