The National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme has urged the media to assist in enlightening the public on the causes, prevention and treatment of tuberculosis . She said more than 18 person die of tuberculosis per hour in Nigeria, according to World Health Organisation report. Quoting the report, she also said that 157,000 persons died of tuberculosis in Nigeria in 2019. Uko said that the inability of TB patients to access medication during the Coronavirus lockdown worsened the spread of the disease in the country. She, however, urged TB patients to endeavour to complete the treatment cycle of six months to avoid its relapse.

Source: Punch April 15, 2021 06:11 UTC