Dr Ajumuka Emmanuel of KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, Delta, has said that creating of awareness about Tuberculosis prevention at the grassroots is critical to ending its spread in Nigeria.

Emmanuel, who made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, said that the disease is curable and preventable.

“Tuberculosis is one of many diseases we as a global community actively neglect, ignore, or don‘t care about because it mainly affects the most vulnerable and poorest.

“We need to end Tuberculosis but most of all, we need to end structural inequities and neglect,” he said.

According to him, Tuberculosis treatment and awareness with regard to symptoms should be available and accessible at the community level to ensure that no one is left behind fighting against the disease.

Emmanuel said as the world regains its strength after the COVID-19 pandemic, ending Tuberculosis as a global health threat is a critically important goal.

He said that the foundation is making use of the Truenat Tuberculosis test, a new molecular test that could identify the nature of the disease in one hour across Delta.

“We are also using the Truenat to test for resistance to the drug rifampicin as there were now several different assays which have expanded the capability of the test in the state,” he said.

The KNCV Foundation is committed to tackling the scourge of tuberculosis in the state, according to Emmanuel, who added that they have also extended some donations to hospitals within the state to fight the disease.

He said that during this year’s World Tuberculosis Day (WTD) celebration in Delta, outreaches were held on the land, marshy areas, creeks and riverine communities by KNCV and other implementing partners.

“The WTB Day was celebrated with a good turnout of stakeholders and implementing partners in Delta state. The mobilisation and sanitisation drive was good with messages on TB passed to residents of Asaba metropolis and environs,” he said.

He said that the foundation understood the factors that influence tuberculosis treatment outcomes in the state and designed interventions to address them.

He said that discrimination was a significant barrier to quality Tuberculosis treatment and care.

“We must stand against stigma by raising awareness and learning our facts,” he said.