Mobile TB Screening: Community head advises residents to go for TB test

Mojisola Lawal

…Commends Lagos First Lady for prioritising wellness of the needy

Traditional head of Otumara community, High chief Kehinde Kalejaiye has advised residents in the Lagos Mainland Local Government of Lagos State to take full advantage of the mobile chest X-ray screening van for Tuberculosis (TB) for prompt diagnosis of the killer disease.

Kalejaiye who was one of the two community heads specially invited to the launch gave the advice on Tuesday following the launch of three mobile chest X-ray vans by the Lagos State First Lady, Dr. Clauadiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu to improve on the diagnosis of TB in Lagos Mainland Local Government area and Yaba LCDA held at Evans Square Playing ground, Ebute Metta (East), Lagos.

Commending Mrs Sanwo-Olu for the interest shown in the wellbeing of the needy, he said the Her Excellency, the First Lady and her husband, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu have been making the right investment in health care delivery in the State.

He added, “The Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration has identified healthcare as a major sector to be massively supported. This position was further buttressed with the launch of the three mobile X-ray vehicles for the screening of Tuberculosis by the First Lady of the State, Mrs Sanwo-Olu. I must say, Lagosians are more than fortunate to have humane and progressive leadership in the State.

Tuberculosis is known as one of the killer diseases in the country. But with these mobile x-ray vans, Lagos Mainlanders are in for a world class healthcare delivery in terms of comprehensive on-site screening, diagnosis and treatment of Tuberculosis.”

Speaking at the launch, Mrs Sanwo-Olu disclosed that apart from the three TB mobile vans, the Lagos State Government has also acquired 18 State-of-the-art X-ray machines located across 18 health care facilities in the State for TB Chest x-ray screening.

She however advised Lagosians to visit any of the facilities to get screened and be treated for TB free of charge.

“The launch of this Chest X-ray screening will definitely bridge the gap of inadequate logistics for TB diagnosis, improve childhood TB diagnosis and ultimately bring TB diagnosis and care to the door steps of Lagosians. In 2019, a total of 38,277 Tuberculosis cases were missed in Lagos State. Therefore we hope the unveiling of Lagos TB Chest X-Ray screening vans will drastically reduce the number of missed TB cases in subsequent years” Mrs. Sanwo-Olu disclosed.

Earlier while speaking with Journalists on steps to combat the spread of TB in our communities, High Chief Kalejaiye said periodic screening and healthy living and taking all necessary precautions especially in a community such as Otumara are the surest ways to combating communicable diseases including Tuberculosis.

He said, “We have to complement the efforts of the Lagos State Government in ensuring a healthier and safer Lagos state. How do we do this? it is by engaging in sensitization and enlightenment campaign within our communities.

We have to educate ourselves that a person who has TB can spread it through air. It is an infectious disease just like COVID-19 therefore if you’re in contact with an infected person, you can contract the disease too.

So I am pleading with all of us to ensure we wear our facemask and practice all the safety protocols as outlined by the State government. And for those that have tested positive, I want to advise them to adhere to the treatment regimens as prescribed by their doctors. They should always use facemask whenever they come in contact with other people. They should cover their mouth with tissue when they cough or sneeze, seal the tissue in a plastic bag and throw it away.

They should not also forget to wash their hands after coughing or sneezing. This is very important so as not to transmit the disease. We should not forget that COVID-19 is still very much with us and the best way to curbing the spread is to be conscious of our environment.

We should tidy up our environment and ensure it is kept clean at all time. Once again, I thank our First Lady, Mrs Sanwo-Olu and the governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu for surpassing our expectations in term of delivery on their electoral promises.

I also thank our amiable Chairperson in Lagos Mainland Local Government, Hon Omolola Essien and our deputy Chairman, Hon Jubril Emilagba for providing the needed leadership in the district.”

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