Breaking the Stigma: TB Survivors Deserve Compassion and Care
In a bid to address the growing concern of Tuberculosis (TB) stigma and discrimination, Dr. Bassey Offor, Director of Cross River State Tuberculosis Programme, has cautioned family members, workplace colleagues, and the general public against stigmatizing or discriminating against TB survivors.
Offor, who spoke at a lecture on “The Role of Media in Addressing TB Stigma and Discrimination” in Calabar, emphasized that continual stigmatization has led to many TB survivors relapsing into mental depression, isolation, and other psychological consequences. He urged that survivors be accepted and cared for to encourage them to continue with their medications and complete them on schedule.
TB medications, Offor assured, are free to access, and completing the prescription will completely cure the ailment. Nigeria, he noted, ranks as the number six high-burdened TB nation in the world, with 590 new cases reported every year.
TB, a communicable disease caused by the Mycobacterium germ, can infect 10 to 15 people in a community. Many cases are often linked to HIV, and Offor warned that it is easily spread in air-conditioned rooms.
Cross River State Coordinator of BreakThrough Action Nigeria, Pascaline Edim, echoed Offor’s sentiments, advising that there should be more awareness about TB and regular testing and counseling sessions. She emphasized the need for society leaders, religious leaders, and the media to embark on mass information campaigns about TB in localities.
The message is clear: TB survivors deserve compassion, care, and understanding. It is essential to break the stigma surrounding this disease and promote awareness, testing, and treatment to combat its spread.
